pom-pom

The word "pom-pom" is a classic example of onomatopoeia, where the sound of the word imitates the sound it describes. It first entered English in the mid-18th century to refer to a type of cannon that made a characteristic "pom-pom" sound when fired. This auditory origin story provides a direct and logical link to its later, more peaceful meaning. In the late 19th century, the term was reapplied to the decorative fluffy ball, likely because the visual bounce and cheer of the accessory evoked the rhythmic, repetitive sound of the original guns or celebratory drumbeats. Thus, the journey from battlefield to cheerleading squad is connected by the shared concept of a repetitive, percussive effect.

This is a reduplicative compound. The word is formed by the repetition of the syllable "pom," imitating the sound of an explosion or a drumbeat. It is an onomatopoeic formation.