That is, into falsehood. The word "yahyar" (يَهْيَرُّ) is used because there is no word in the language with the pattern "fa'yal" (فَعْيَلٌّ). It refers to the gum of the acacia tree. Abu Amr recited:
"I fed my shepherd some of this gum, and he kept howling with fear and evil."
That is, from this gum. Al-Ahmar said: "A hard stone is called 'yahyar' (يَهْيَر)." It is also said: "More deceitful than a mirage." Ibn al-Sarraj said: "Sometimes they add an alif to it, saying 'yahyarri' (يَهْيَرَّي), which is one of the names for falsehood."
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This proverb is used to describe pursuing falsehood, idle talk, and mirages that have no basis in reality. Some of the closest English equivalents are:
“Chasing shadows.”
Meaning: chasing shadows, or pursuing something unreal.
“Running after illusions.”
Meaning: chasing after illusions.
“Lost in nonsense.”
Meaning: immersed in meaningless talk or action.
“Much ado about nothing.”
Meaning: making a lot of noise about nothing.
This is said of something futile and pointless.
“Building castles in the air.”
Meaning: building castles in the air.
This is said of false hopes and illusions.
The closest expression to the spirit of the Arabic proverb is:
“Chasing illusions.”
“Pursuing illusions.”
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أي في الباطل، اليَهْيَرُّ يَفْعَلُ، لأنه ليس في الكلام فَعْيَلٌّ، وهو صَمْغ الطَّلْح، وأنشد أبو عمرو:
أطْعَمْتُ راعيّ مِنَ اليَهْيَرِّ * فَظَلَّ يَعْوِي حبطا بِشَرِّ
أي من هذا الصمغ، وقال الأحمر: حَجَر يَهْير أي صُلْب، ويقال: أكْذَبُ من اليَهْيَرِّ، وهو السَّرَاب، وقال ابن السرَّاج: ربما زادوا فيه الألف، فقالوا يَهْيَرَّي، وهو من أسماء الباطل
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