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  What it means

  Literally “boring as tripe in oil.” Describes something — or someone — that is painfully dull and bland. The Polish equivalent of “dull as dishwater.”

  Vocabulary

  • nudny — boring / dull
  • flaki — tripe / offal (also: guts)
  • olej — oil

  Grammar note

  'Jak' introduces the comparison. 'Flaki z olejem' — 'z olejem' uses the instrumental of 'olej' after 'z' (with/in oil).

  Cultural context

  'Flaki' (tripe soup) is a traditional Polish dish. While beloved by some, its grey, unappetizing appearance makes it an ideal metaphor for dreariness.

  Beginner

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