Foam hand

A foam hand, also known as a foam finger, is a sports paraphernalia item worn on the hand to show support for a particular team. The most common version resembles an oversized hand with an extended index finger. Usually the surface displays a silk-screened team name, logo, or other graphic or slogan, such as "We Are #1." Foam hands are made of open-celled foam; slits in their bases allow them to be worn.

Invented By Earl Whipple, who originally sported a giant finger, carved out of a sheet of wood, that resembled a raised index finger of the modern day "foam finger". This finger was, however, blank on the face of it, unlike modern day "foam fingers," but the message "We're #1!" was still relayed through it.

Common shape variations

*Instead of a human hand, the foam finger is in the shape of a talon, hoof, paw, or other hand-analog to resemble that of the team mascot.
*The index finger, thumb, and pinky are extended in the American Sign Language sign for "love". Often this version is captioned, "Gotta Love Those [team name] ."
*The index finger and pinky are extended to represent gestures such as University of South Florida's "Go Bulls" or University of Texas' "Hook 'em Horns."
*The middle finger is extended in the obscene hand gesture the finger.
*The index, middle, and pinky fingers are extended in the shocker position.

Besides being sold at all manner of sporting events and venues as souvenirs, foam fingers are used as fund-raisers for schools and booster clubs as well as corporate promotions.