rope yarn

• Terme historique désignant une période de repos ou de loisir, à l'origine une pause dans le travail à bord d'un navire pendant laquelle les marins réparaient les cordages. Il s'emploie aussi pour un court congé ou du temps libre.

A historical term referring to a period of rest or leisure, originally a break from work on a ship where sailors would repair ropes. Also used to mean a short holiday or time off.

1. Nautical materialC1formal

   The fibers or threads used to make rope, often from hemp or other natural materials.

   Fil de caret

   • The sailor twisted the rope yarn into a strong cord.
   • Rope yarn is often treated with tar to prevent rot.
   • They stored bundles of rope yarn in the ship's hold.

2. Trivial or idle talkC2informalbritish

   A colloquial term for gossip, trivial conversation, or idle chatter.

   Bavardage futile

   • Stop wasting time on rope yarn and get back to work.
   • The old men sat around the fire exchanging rope yarn.
   • His stories were nothing but rope yarn and exaggeration.