Cyarn 
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "cyarn" (sometimes spelled carn or cairn) means carrion - the decaying flesh of a dead animal. It’s often used figuratively for anything with a foul, rotten smell.
Cyarn
synonyms: carrion, rotten flesh, stink, dead animal
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've never heard anybody say something 'smells like cyarn,' only read it. And I wouldn't wanna smell it. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've never heard anybody say something 'smells like cyarn,' only read it. And I wouldn't wanna smell it. Pronunciation
[CAR-n, CY-urn]
/ˈkɑrn/, /ˈkaɪ.ɚn/
/ˈkɑrn/, /ˈkaɪ.ɚn/
Meaning & Usage
- Decaying flesh of a dead animal (noun)
Clara:
Don’t go down by the creek - there’s cyarn down there from that old cow.
Don’t go down by the creek - there’s cyarn down there from that old cow.- Anything foul-smelling (figurative use)
Elmer:
Something’s burning in the oven, and it stinks like cyarn.
Something’s burning in the oven, and it stinks like cyarn.variations: carn, cairn, kharn
Origin and Etymology
From the English word carrion (decaying flesh), altered in pronunciation through Southern and Appalachian speech into cyarn, carn, or cairn. The clipped and slurred form has been in common dialect use for generations.
Usage Notes
- Cyarn is still widely recognized in Appalachian and rural Southern areas.
- Often used figuratively to mean "something smells awful," not just literal dead flesh.
- The spelling kharn sometimes appears, but cyarn and carn are the most common authentic forms.
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 2). Cyarn. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/cyarn
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Cyarn." HillbillySlang.com, 2 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/cyarn.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Cyarn." HillbillySlang.com. October 2, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/cyarn.
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Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...