Irish Pennant

[Nathan]

I found this link which sounds like it to me.

I agree with the article. This slang amounts to an ethnic slur against the Irish. I think it ought to be relegated to the dustbin of history. My unit never used this phrase. We called them..."threads". ;)

I always preferred a lighter for dealing with them over a pair of scizzors, although I keep a pair of snips like the ones Kyle posted in my tackle box. They're perfect for cutting fishing line.