Text: Have a yarn

Context: My informant explained that whenever she calls her grandmother or has the opportunity to sit and talk with her, her grandmother refers to it as “having a yarn.” My informant said that her grandmother is from Australia, and she has also heard other Australians refer to talking as having a yarn. She also clarified that a yarn is specifically a casual, informal conversation that might be had between close friends or family, similar to a chat. 

Analysis: Historically, individuals with jobs that involve completing tedious and stationary tasks such as weaving or spinning yarn have chatted throughout the day to make a potentially boring task more exciting. The saying “having a yarn” refers to the use of casual chatter and is modernly used by many Australians to refer to laid-back conversation with the sole purpose of keeping each other company and staying entertained to help pass the time. This saying highlights the contrast between formal conversation with a central purpose of communication and informal conversation that is used to build community, be social, and strengthen connections.