5. The Good, The Bad, The Lanyard-Descriptive

The Good, The Bad the Lanyard

            The lanyard is “any of various small cords or ropes for securing or suspending something, as a whistle about the neck or a knife from one's belt.” Today this fashion has transformed to hang from people’s pockets attached to their keys. In today’s day and life it is more of a fashion statement rather that a use. Back in history they had a very significant use. Lanyards can come in many different colors, sizes as well as sporting teams that put their logo on them. They can also be used as advertising to get teams name out to the public. Many stereotypes are associated with lanyards. Most of the people who wear lanyards are generally men that are athletes. Lanyards are a fashion statement of this generation that can be considered a fad but is a favorite of many male athletes in this world.

            The first lanyard in history recorded was in the fifteenth century in France. The word originated from the French word "Lanière”. A "Lanière” is a strap or thong apparatus. The French Military used these lanyards to secure whistles around their neck for direction and later they used it for securing an extra pistol around their waist or neck. The French used these lanyards to secure the object from getting lost. Lanyards were often used at sea in the navy as well as on the battlefield. Later lanyards became more of a decorative piece. They were used in some very famous movies including The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. One of the main characters used a lanyard because he stated it was too difficult to holster a gun without looking which was done many times in the movie. Lanyards are also used in today’s military to decipher the position of the officer. The different colors of the lanyards show the different ranks. Lanyards are not a new item, however many people are adopting this accessory as a fashion statement.

            The people who use lanyards generally are stereotyped as an athlete or a freshman in college because they wear their I.D. card around their neck. These stereotypes aren’t bad but they are the first thing someone thinks of when they think of lanyards. Sometimes thieves like lanyards because if they see a person step out of an expensive car, it gives them a rope to snatch the keys out of their pocket.

            Lanyards are becoming more of a unisex fad. They come in many different designs and patters to match any girl’s personality or style. Females tend to attach their wallets, I.D. cards or other personal belongings to them. This is a problem because of thieves. They see an "easy target" and become their next victim. The thief walks past the female and latches on to their lanyard and steals their personal belongings connected to it. However, in contrast to this issue, lanyards can also be a security issue. Many people wear them around their neck and keep identification cards, money, credit cards and other valuables close to their body. This is often a tactic used in foreign countries to keep passports around their neck so their identities cannot be stolen overseas.  Lanyards serve many good purposes but can also cause the wearer to be a target to thieves.

 Although both males and females use lanyards, only certain groups of both genders use them. Usually athletes and coaches wear them representing their favorite team or the team they play on or coach themselves. Other people that wear them are teens that are first time drivers. They don't want to lose their keys, so they put in on a lanyard so they are more easily noticed and found. Teachers are also a group of people who wear lanyards because of the breakaway safety. They need to have their badge on them but they don't want it to become a rope tied around their neck if a student grasps onto in and chokes them. They wear the lanyards for the looks but only the ones with this safety factor build into them. The last groups of people that wear them are members or retired member of the military. Lanyards are very common because of their original use as a lanyard on a handgun. It is the easiest way to access a handgun and they just take that use over to their keys. Lanyards originated as a product with one use but they have been transformed to have many different uses.

 Lanyards are very popular for both genders and for all ages. Many different people wear them. They come with some half true stereotypes. The lanyards today have many different designs and patters to be appealing to everyone. Lanyards originated as a military use. Although they are still used in the military they have a use for everyone. Lanyards can be very handy but they can also be a danger when it comes to thieves. Everyone could have a lanyard if they choose to have one; there is a lanyard for everyone.