Picture a cord that is deliberately short, with something tied to one end. It is not a heavy rope for hauling; it is handy, and its whole job is to keep one small thing where you can reach it. Rigging on a boat, a pass round a neck, a braided key ring from camp - the same short cord is under all three.
The word goes back to late Middle English lainer, lanyer, a strap or thong used to fasten armour, from Old French laniere (thong, lash); the ending was reshaped in the seventeenth century under the influence of yard. A strap whose job is to fasten something is already the modern picture.
這個字往回追是中古英文晚期的 lainer、lanyer，指綁盔甲用的皮帶，再往前是古法文 laniere（皮條、鞭條）。十七世紀時字尾受到 yard 影響才改成現在的樣子。一條「用來把東西綁住」的帶子，正是今天這個字的畫面。
Wiktionary, entry lanyard (packet source_ref kaikki:3f6f69a190036ae4:1064003866:18879)
From the picture
自己編出來的那條塑膠繩（夏令營手工）
這一支是從成品回頭命名的：把彩色塑膠線編完，手上拿到的還是一條可以掛鑰匙的細繩，於是連「編它」這件事也跟著叫 lanyard。
noun · B2
A craft in which thin, flat plastic cords are braided into a colourful pattern, and also the braided cord itself, often used as a key ring or bracelet. It is heard mostly around summer camps.
塑膠編織手工（及其成品）
noun · C1
A short rope or cord on a boat or ship, used to pull a rope tight, to hold something in place, or to pull something such as a bell.
（船上的）短繩
noun · B1
A thin cord, rope, or ribbon worn round your neck, shoulder, or wrist, with something small fastened to it - an ID card, a key, or a whistle - so the thing stays on you and your hands stay free.
掛繩／識別證帶