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  What it means

  Literally “buttery butter,” this phrase describes something that is redundant, tautological, or needlessly repetitive, like defining a word using the same word. It is used to call out circular logic, hollow definitions, or statements that add no new information. Poles use it to dismiss a lazy explanation or a definition that goes nowhere, similar to saying “that’s a tautology” in English.

  Vocabulary

  • masło — butter
  • maślany — buttery, made of butter

  Grammar note

  The phrase uses the adjective 'maślany' (derived from 'masło') to modify 'masło' itself, creating a self-referential construction. 'Maślane' is the neuter nominative form agreeing with the neuter noun 'masło'.

  Cultural context

  This is a neutral, everyday phrase with a slightly ironic or humorous tone. It is used in academic, journalistic, and everyday conversation to mock circular definitions. There is no strong regional flavour, and it is understood throughout Poland.

  Beginner

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