1a : the yarn or thread composing the strands of a rope. b : a yarn of fibers loosely twisted up right-handedly. 2 : something of small account : trifle.

What does the Navy term rope yarn mean?

"Rope Yarn is a tradition that the Navy has where the commanding officer can give time off," said Senior Chief Navy Counselor Mark Rush, from Louisville, Kentucky. "It started during the times when Navy ships used sails. The Sailors would break out rope yarn to mend their clothes and hammocks."

What is rope called on a Navy ship?

A nautical cable is a band of tightly woven and clamped ropes, of a defined cable length, used during the age of sail for deep water anchoring, heavy lifting, ship to ship transfers and towing during blue sea sailing and other uses.