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.

