What does "Have a yarn" mean?
It means having a relaxed chat, often with a story or two along the way. A yarn can also mean a story, especially one told for entertainment.
Hear an Aussie say it
The saying
Have a yarn
Example
Would love to catch up for a beer. Would be great to have a yarn with you!
How Aussies use it
At work
Grace: Got a minute? I'd like to have a yarn about next week's roster.
Ben: Sure. Grab a coffee and we'll sit down.
A roster is a work timetable. Here a yarn is a relaxed work chat, not a formal meeting.
Texting a friend
Aisha: Haven't seen you in ages! Coffee on Saturday?
Kate: Yes! Can't wait to have a yarn.
At a barbecue
Tom: Who's the bloke by the barbie?
Mia: My uncle. Go and have a yarn with him. He loves telling stories.
A bloke is a man, and a barbie is a barbecue. A yarn can also be a story.
How to reply
- "Yeah, love to. When suits?" When suits means when is good for you.
- "Sounds good. Let's catch up." Catch up means meet and chat.
When to use it
Use it when you invite someone for a friendly chat or a catch-up, at work or with friends. It sounds warm and relaxed, and it is fine to say to almost anyone.
When not to use it
It does not suit a serious or urgent conversation, like a complaint or bad news. It suggests there is plenty of time to talk, so for something urgent, say "Can we talk about this now?"
Where it comes from
The Australian National Dictionary Centre says yarn meaning to talk or chat is recorded in Australian English from the 1840s. It grew out of the British English yarn, to tell a story, often an unlikely one, as in spin a yarn. In Australia, a yarn doesn't have to be an unlikely story.
Source: Australian National Dictionary Centre, ANU: yarning circle
Questions about "Have a yarn"
What does yarn mean in Australia?
A yarn is a chat or a story. To have a yarn is to have a relaxed chat, and a good yarn is an entertaining story.
What is a yarning circle?
A group of people sitting in a circle to share experience, knowledge or ideas, with everyone treated as equals. It comes from an Indigenous way of talking together, and you will now see yarning circles in schools and community groups too.
What does spin a yarn mean?
To tell a long story that may not be completely true. In Australia, have a yarn just means have a chat.
