Lanyard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Lanyard was also a codename for the KH-6 reconnaissance satellite
Image:Dragonne 1.jpg A lanyard, also spelled laniard, is a rope or cord often worn around the neck or wrist to carry something. Aboard ship, it may refer to a piece of rigging used to secure objects, or to a cord with a hook at the end which is used to fire a cannon.
Dragoons would use lanyards (usually called sword knots) to secure their sabres to the wrist, and thus allow the firing of carbine and pistol with the sabre out (hence the French term of dragonne).
Pistol lanyards are designed to connect a pistol grip to a uniform on a semipermanent basis. A well made pistol lanyard can be easily removed and reattached by the user, but otherwise will stay connected to the pistol whether it is drawn or in a holster. A good pistol lanyard can be invaluable in an emergency, because it prevents the weapon from being dropped. In addition, some pistol lanyards are of a coiled design similar to telephone cord. These lanyards are intended to be less likely to snag on objects than an uncoiled lanyard type.
Lanyards of various colour combinations and braid patterns are also commonly worn on the shoulders of British and Commonwealth military uniforms to denote the wearer's qualification or regimental affiliation.
Lanyards have started to appear on consumer electronics devices. With increasing miniaturisation, many digital cameras, MP3 players, and USB memory sticks include lanyards, providing easy portability and insurance against loss or dropping. The Apple iPod headphones incorporate the audio signal into the lanyard, meaning it doubles up as headphone cords as well.
Lanyard can also refer to the flat plastic string more commonly known as gimp.
