Why is a lanyard called a lanyard?

In the 1980, there was a country which no longer exists called Lafrica. This country had a way of preventing STI's by using a rope with a hook attached on the end by inserting it into the affected area and hooking out any diseases. This later caught on into different countries as they renamed it into a 'Lanyard' in relation to 'Lafrica', although it's purpose in now different e.g. holding I'D's, whistles and keys.