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A pompon (also as frequently "pom-pom") is a decorative ball of fluff. Large handheld pompons may be used by cheerleaders and sports fans; smaller ones adorn curtains or hats such as the tam o'shanter. The ones on clothing and curtains tend to be small and made of cloth or ribbon, while the cheerleading variety are larger and more often made of paper, plastic, or occasionally feathers.
Cheerleaders use pompons for a variety of reasons including attracting the attention of a crowd, accentuating movements, distracting an opposing team, and adding an element of sparkle to a cheer, chant or cheer/dance routine, especially at cheer competitions. Most often, pompons are used in pairs (one for each hand) by each cheerleader, but this may vary based on the particular requirements and choreography of a routine or cheer.
The use of the similar-sounding rendition "pom-pom" is very common, especially among popular culture, including movies, entertainment sources and general laypeople, but many cheerleaders, coaches, cheer equipment suppliers and manufacturers and others involved in the sport use the term "pompon." Often, pompons are referred to simply as "poms."
Pompons come in a variety of shapes, styles, colors, color combinations and sizes. Of particular note is the emerging variation in handles used by many manufacturers. Metallic (shiny) poms have become very popular in recent years, as have more cost-effective look-alike poms that are often given to spectators at sporting events. Pompons are also used sometimes in the enjoyment and learning of small children, as they like things that shine, though the fact that pompons are made of strings also renders them as a choking hazard.
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