subs. (colloquial).—A story, a tale: spec. an incredible, long, or marvellous narration spun out by a sailor. Hence as verb (or TO SPIN YARNS) = to romance, ‘draw the long bow’; a SAILOR’S YARN = a traveller’s story (q.v.); YARN-CHOPPER (or SLINGER) = (1) a long prosy talker; and (2) a fictional journalist.
1859. C. READE, Love Me Little, Love Me Long, iii. It isn’t everybody that likes these sea-YARNS as you do, Eve. No, I’ll belay, and let my betters get a word in now.
1890. R. F. ZOGBAUM, From Port to Port with the White Squadron, in Scribner’s Magazine, viii. Oct., 465. The first lieutenant is ‘YARNING’ with me under the lea of the bulwarks by the ‘rapid-fire’ Hotchkiss.
1884. W. C. RUSSELL, Jack’s Courtship, xxx. All the crew … YARNING and smoking and taking sailors’ pleasure.
1885. Daily Telegraph, 29 Dec. [He] who has YARNED aforetime ‘On the Fo’k’sle Head,’ and ‘Round the Galley Fire.’
