1) non-lethal weapon for
breaking up riots/parties or subduing a combatant (commonly used by police or military):
a) powered stun baton emitting colorful sparks like disco ball reflections,
b) non-powered, usually collapsible baton. So-called because of tendency to produce spinning star-like visual artifacts,
reminiscent of a disco ball, when used on the skull.
2) lighted sticks or tubes of various colors commonly used for signaling, navigation in darkness, or dance parties. Can be battery-powered, fluorescent/phosphorescent, or lit by
chemical reaction. The colors can glow steadily, strobe, or cycle. The term derives from their popular use at raves and other dance parties to achieve novel, personal lighting effects as an improvement over the Disco Era's trend of wearing bright, shiny clothing or jewelry to maximize the reflections of a disco ball. Also called glow sticks, neon bling, or luminaria.
1) The SWAT team quickly
contained the riot by employing disco sticks and firehoses.
2) That DJ's signature is tying bi-colored disco sticks in his
dreadlocks and using a stroboscope to make them dance
to the beat.