2014-04-26 14:52:28 +00:00
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tar and feather
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2014-04-26 15:54:15 +00:00
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vi. [from Unix tar (1) ] To create a transportable archive from a group of
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files by first sticking them together with tar (1) (the Tape ARchiver) and
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then compressing the result (see compress ). The latter action is dubbed
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feathering partly for euphony and (if only for contrived effect) by analogy
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to what you do with an airplane propeller to decrease wind resistance, or
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with an oar to reduce water resistance; smaller files, after all, slip
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through comm links more easily. Compare the more common tarball. Earlier,
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the phrase referred to a punishment in which the victims had tar being
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poured upon them and then, whilst the tar was still sticky, having a pillow
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full of feathers - or other material thrown at them. See
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http://www.nwta.com/Spy/spring99/tar.html.
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