Garn is a frequently used interjection in Cockney slang and other English dialects to show disbelief, sometimes with a touch of sarcasm. It originates from the contraction of the phrase go on, with the pronunciation evolving over time in the local dialects. The term was first documented in an 1886 dictionary of London slang, showcasing how colloquial language can develop before being officially recognized. In certain regions of England, garn is also used to refer to “yarn”, stemming from the Middle English spelling of ȝarn with a yogh sound similar to both a y and a g. This can be traced back to Proto-Germanic garna and Proto-Indo-European ger, which mean “gut” or “intestine”.
