noun
Refers to worthless or absurd talk; often used in the phrase 与太話 (よたばなし) for tall tales or gossip.
彼の話はいつも与太ばかりだ。
His stories are always just nonsense.
そんな与太話を真に受けるな。
Don't take such tall tales seriously.
noun
A derogatory term for a worthless or foolish person; somewhat dated and now mainly found in set phrases or older speech.
あんな与太に構っている暇はない。
I don't have time to deal with a good-for-nothing like him.
na-adjective, noun
Describes speech or behavior that is reckless, baseless, or lacking in sense; often used as 与太な.
与太な噂を流すのはやめてくれ。
Stop spreading irresponsible rumors.
The origin is uncertain. The kanji 与太 are ateji, used purely for their sounds. The word may have arisen as slang in the Edo period.