A lanyard 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 cannon. Dragoons would use lanyard (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 lanyard are designed to connect a pistol grip to a uniform on a semi permanent 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 lanyard use an elasticized plastic coil design that may slightly cushion recoil. Lanyard 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. Lanyard have started to appear on consumer electronics devices. With increasing miniaturization, many digital cameras, MP3 players, and USB memory sticks include lanyard, providing easy portability, and insurance against loss or dropping.