The group's name is derived from the colloquial term "straphanger" for transit riders who gripped the hanging leather straps to keep their balance while the vehicle was in motion.

What does a straphanger mean?

: a standing passenger in a subway, streetcar, bus, or train who clings for support to one of the short straps or similar devices placed along the aisle.

What is a straphanger in military?

Straphanger, an experienced United States Army airborne paratrooper which assists parachute jumps by being on standby in the aircraft.