Yeah no.

[Randy Winkman]

Why do people keep saying "Yeah no" when they are asked a question? Yeah means yes, and no means, er, no. They are opposites. So do they mean yes or no? I've just listened to one fella on the radio - he said "Yeah no" about 20 times in 3 minutes. Some people even say "Yeah no yeah".

[On Time]

Yeah no = "Yes the answer is no."
Yeah no yeah = "Yes the answer is no, do you understand?"

[pies1981]

I think it means yeah, i know

[Shaw Tarse]

Yeah, no ,but!!

[Glassman]

Never heard "yeah, no" but I'gve heard street lingo: "y'know"

[TheEnd]

[Randy Winkman]

On Time said:

Yeah no = "Yes the answer is no."
Yeah no yeah = "Yes the answer is no, do you understand?"

I have to say - Im quite impressed that you came up with this so quickly.

Trouble is I don't always keep up with the number of yeahs and nos and often find it rather confusing.

[cqueen]

I always think the same thing when I hear it.

It's uaually when people are agreeing with the 'no' i.e. "you wouldnt catch me doing that would you?"...

"yeah - no!"

[308mate]

Common in Oz.

"Yeah, nah its not too bad hey"

Its yes, then no and its a statement enunciated as a question, all at once.

In long-hand, its "Yes I know what you mean, but no thats not the case, its not too bad (statement), do you see what I mean (question)?"

[pies1981]

308mate said:

Common in Oz.

"Yeah, nah its not too bad hey"

Its yes, then no and its a statement enunciated as a question, all at once.

In long-hand, its "Yes I know what you mean, but no thats not the case, its not too bad (statement), do you see what I mean (question)?"

Long handed yes but it sounds cool

[AJS-]

I lived in New Zealand for a while and this is endemic.

[Not now Kato]

AJS- said:

I lived in New Zealand for a while and this is endemic.

Very true

[bitwrx]

Not now Kato said:

AJS- said:

I lived in New Zealand for a while and this is endemic.

Very true

"Nah.....Yeh....Nah, good as gold."

So was that a yes or a no then boss?

[AJS-]

IT's usually best to decide these things for yourself as they're by and large a people without clear direction. I think that answers the yeah no question.

[Randy Winkman]

AJS- said:

IT's usually best to decide these things for yourself as they're by and large a people without clear direction. I think that answers the yeah no question.

Yeah no, I think you're right.