Why are all cheerleaders called cheerLEADERS?

[Anonymous]

I'm playing semantics, but, based on our definition of leader, leader means "one", as in someone is leading someone. So, how can all of them lead, if leader means one (yes, i know leader doesn't literally mean one)

[egarcia1360]

"Leader" means "one who leads", yes. It follows, then, that "leaders" means "multiple who lead". As other commenters said, the cheerleaders all take part—together—in leading the cheer for the audience members to follow. There's no inconsistency there.

[Anonymous]

Because they lead the cheer, or that’s how it started, as a team. It’s cheerleading team and each team member is part of leading the audiences (well that’s how cheerleading started) cheer for the team. So yeah they were all leaders, as a team, for the audience.

[Asker]

Right again, it just, doesn't make sense, for them ALL to LEAD. I'm not saying they can't, I'm saying their should be a diff. term for the rest. Since, we have a "cheer captain" and usually a co captain, too, right?

[NordicInScandinavia]

They are leaders of cheers - as in they lead on with the cheers hence cheerLEADers

[Asker]

I guess, maybe I asked it wrong. what im getting at is, they have a cheer captain, and co captain usually, right? so, how can they then all be cheerleaders, if they literally have a "HEAD" cheerleader

[NordicInScandinavia]

Because they're still all leaders of the cheer in the current context they're in. As you mentioned yourself then leader or leaning doesn't mean 1.

[OneViewpoint]

Because their original purpose was to actually lead the local crowd in cheers for hometown high school players. It started out as a school spirit thing for small crowds of parents and friends watching their kids play, usually American football.

[AI Opinion]

The term "cheerleader" represents the role of inspiring and leading enthusiasm among spectators. While the word "leader" suggests one individual, in the context of a cheerleading team, every member leads collectively. They embody leadership by driving team spirit and unity, encouraging the audience to partake in supporting their team. This shared leadership amplifies the energy and excitement, making every member vital in achieving their purpose. Thus, all team members are called cheerleaders because they collectively lead the audience's enthusiasm and support.

[Asker]

That doesn't really answer the question ai, as usual

[AviatorTom]

A cheerleader LEADs the crowd (fans) to cheer for the team. Cheerleaders is plural because there is a group of them, all with the same goal... get the crowd cheering, making noise.

[purplepoppy]

We don't have a proper word for it, it varies where you look. Google translate gives it as hwylwyr which is literally someone who does fun but other place go for codi hwyl which could be translated as erection fun or getting up fun. Probably why it's never caught on here.

[Red_Arrow]

They are not a cheerleader, they are cheerleaders, and that is plural (more than one). And they lead the crowd in cheering for their team.

[BarryLiverstone]

Often times cheerleaders will rotate who is leading the various cheers. At times during the event they can all take the sole leadership role therefore they all have the honor of being cheerleaders.