tar and feather vi. from unix `tar1' to create a transportable
   archive from a group of files by first sticking them together with
   `tar1' 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'.


see also:
compress tarball 

tar and feather
     
         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 compressing 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
     
     
see also:
unix tar compress jargon file