rogue's yarn

American  

noun

1. a yarn of distinctive color, material, or twist, laid in a strand or strands of a rope to identify the owner or the maker.

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Etymology

Origin of rogue's yarn

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

For Worker staffers and contributors�Agnes Smedley, Rob Hall, Howard Fast et al.�the line is as inevitable and as obvious in news story, editorial or literary column as red rogue's yarn�the colored strand that runs through Royal Navy cordage.

From Time Magazine Archive