Tumbleweed is the part of some plant species that when dried out, detaches from its root and forms a ball which is blown by the wind. Tumbleweed in film became synonymous with Westerns and other narratives set in the desert, abandoned ghost towns, and other desolate locales. Eventually, they became a trope to signify the absence of excitement in a scene, and for comedic effect in locations where tumbleweed would not typically be present.
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- Despite the Muppets having covered the song "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" three times, none of the versions include any tumbling tumbleweeds.