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“Pan! Pan! Poom!” meme: meaning, origin and rare card

"Pan! Pan! Poom!" refers to the exaggerated sound effects of gunfire in the 1963 French film "Les Tontons flingueurs." This meme links the movie's audio aesthetic to the iconic soundscape of "Star Wars," creating a humorous contrast between French cinema realism and sci-fi spectacle.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 7 min read
Pan! Pan! Poom! meme
The “Pan! Pan! Poom!” meme

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Bizarre gun sounds from "Les Tontons flingueurs" (Useless Edits)

In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Pan! Pan! Poom!” is a rare card of the Memes FR pack, number 2982 of the collection, and the 753rd best-known meme of its 3496 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.

What does the “Pan! Pan! Poom!” meme mean?

The phrase captures the comedic absurdity of a scene where violence is treated with theatrical lightness. It highlights the artificial nature of the ballistic exchanges, turning a tense moment into a burlesque sequence. Users employ it to point out the gap between supposed seriousness and artistic exaggeration, reminding viewers that the film plays with genre tropes for entertainment rather than realistic impact.

Where does the “Pan! Pan! Poom!” meme come from?

The meme references the film "Les Tontons flingueurs" directed by Georges Lautner and released in 1963. The soundtrack of this work is famous for its sharp lines written by screenwriter Michel Audiard. The comparison to "Star Wars" evokes the distinctive sound effects of lightsabers and blasters from George Lucas's saga. However, no reliable source documents the direct creation of this specific meme or the precise sequence that popularized it. It remains unclear whether it is a distorted audio clip or a visual legend added to a video.

How to use the “Pan! Pan! Poom!” meme

  • Use this phrase to comment on an action scene whose sound effects appear artificial or exaggerated.
  • Cite this meme in a discussion about 1960s French cinema to illustrate its unique stylistic approach.
  • Employ the phrase to gently mock a clumsy imitation of science fiction sound effects.

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The “Pan! Pan! Poom!” card in MyMemeCards

Pan! Pan! Poom! card
NumberNo. 2982
RarityRare
CollectionMemes FR pack
Fame50/100 · #753 of 3496
Recycle value10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny)
Suggested by@chuck_nourice
Rarities of the Memes FR pack: 3,496 cards
  • Common1,47842%
  • Rare1,17434%
  • Epic66819%
  • Legendary1133.2%
  • Mythic411.2%
  • Full Art220.6%

How to get the “Pan! Pan! Poom!” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Pan! Pan! Poom! comes out of the Memes FR pack as a rare card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.

Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 10 MemeCoins.

Open your free pack

5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.

Free · no account needed

Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details

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Frequently asked questions

Pan! Pan! Poom! origin?

No verifiable source allows tracing the exact origin of this specific meme. It appears to rely on a cultural association between two major franchises without documented direct links.

Pan! Pan! Poom! meaning?

It refers to the stylized gun sound effects in "Les Tontons flingueurs," compared to those in "Star Wars" for their iconic and theatrical nature.

Who is Michel Audiard?

Michel Audiard was a French screenwriter and dialogue writer famous for his sharp and rhythmic lines, notably in "Les Tontons flingueurs."

How do I get the Pan! Pan! Poom! meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Pan! Pan! Poom!” is a rare card of the Memes FR pack. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the Pan! Pan! Poom! card?

It is a Rare card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.

Sources: www.allocine.fr · diaporamas · cinema20 fameuses répliques... corrigées à la sauce schtroumpf ! · パンパン · ポンポンペインの元ネタとは?初心者にもわかる完全ガイド · checked on October 19, 2026.

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