Glomp

Synonyms:	Tackle-hug, Pouncehug
See also:
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Glomp is a fannish term meaning a very enthusiastic embrace/hug/tackle. The term arose in English-speaking anime/manga fandom. It can be either a noun or a verb. Pouncehug is considered a lesser known synonym.

History

The term was popular in anime fandom, to describe the running hug action that many anime girl characters in shoujo anime do. It evolved over time and usage into being a part of internet vocabulary in the 90s-00s. The exact origin of the word is unknown, but TV Tropes notes that "the earliest reported usages of the word 'glomp' are as sound effects in the Viz translations of Urusei Yatsura and Ranma ½. The first known appearance of the word 'glomp' is in Ranma 1/2 Volume One, Part 12 published in 1993". Thus the word is probably onomatopoeic.

Controversy

The action and word bled into real life interactions and convention culture, with fans often glomping friends and cosplayers at cons. However, this behaviour quickly gained a bad reputation and was considered bad convention etiquette; glomps were often overenthusiastic and forceful, and hazardous for cosplayers in delicate costumes. An article on cosplay terms advised: "If you don't want con-plague, you might also want to eschew glomping." Many conventions began outright banning glomp activity, to protect cosplayers, panelists (such as voice actors) and attendees. There are fannish joke tutorials both about how to glomp and how to dodge glomps, showing the relative popularity of the activity.

Fan Comments

anyone in my age group has no say if younger people are doing anything cringey cuz we are the glomp generation

Glomp: A cross between a hug and a pounce.
I was just standing there when this girl *GLOMPED* me from behind

anonymous said: What in tarnation is "glomping"?

OH NO.

You /really/ should be glad you don’t know and haven’t experienced this firsthand.

A “glomp” is basically a running tackle hug.

Often, this was done non-consensually and by surprise. So if someone saw a cosplay of a character they liked, they might squee, run, and tackle/hug the person. The lucky ones would see (or hear) it coming and could brace for it, and didn’t have any physical limitations or delicate costume pieces. Otherwise, there were a lot of injuries and broken costumes that resulted. Much light a freight train, even if you see a glomper coming, they’re nearly impossible to stop on time. It’s a very dangerous practice. There used to be a lot of anti-glomping PSAs floating around, and thankfully it’s not as big of an issue as it used to be, though it still happens (I was almost glomped last year, and a friend of mine just told me that she was glomped this year).

While glomping hasn’t been outright banned in the same way as yaoi paddles, increased awareness of issues of consent, as well as changing tides in the con scene, has thankfully allowed for this practice to wane. I’m sure that any modern glomping could be reported to con security at any con with reputable anti-harassment enforcement. It used to be a major concern, especially when cosplaying a popular character.

Further Reading

• Only true convention veterans will remember - discusses the banning of glomps