tar and feather

tar and feather
 vi.

   [from Unix tar(1)] To create a transportable archive from a group of
   files by first sticking them together with tar(1) (the Tape ARchiver)
   and then compressing the result (see {compress}). The latter action is
   dubbed feathering partly for euphony and (if only for contrived
   effect) by analogy to what you do with an airplane propeller to
   decrease wind resistance, or with an oar to reduce water resistance;
   smaller files, after all, slip through comm links more easily. Compare
   the more common {tarball}. Earlier, the phrase referred to a
   punishment in which the victims had tar being poured upon them and
   then, whilst the tar was still sticky, having a pillow full of
   feathers - or other material -- thrown at them. See
   http://www.nwta.com/Spy/spring99/tar.html.
    

tar and feather

   <jargon> (A sick contrivance from the {Unix} {tar} command and
   the Ku Klux Klan torture method) To create a transportable
   archive from a group of files by first sticking them together
   with {tar} (the Tape ARchiver) and then {compress}ing the
   result.  The latter action is dubbed "feathering" (purely for
   contrived effect) by analogy to what you do with an aeroplane
   propeller to decrease wind resistance, or with an oar to
   reduce water resistance; smaller files, after all, slip
   through comm links more easily.

   [{Jargon File}]

   (1997-05-26)