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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.
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