Butter bei die Fische (Butter by the Fish)
With many sayings the origin can be traced back far and often there is an exciting story behind it. Todays saying (proverb) is...
...Butter by the Fish (in German: Butter bei die Fische)
What does "Butter the Fish" actually mean and how did the phrase come up? We provide you with the answers here!
The saying means to get to the point. If someone asks you to put the butter by the fish, then the person expects plain language without digressions. Often people also mean not to do things by halves and to tackle a task with full dedication.
The proverbs origin is based in northern Germany: Just before you put fried or baked fish on the table, you usually add a bit of butter. But really just before, because otherwise it melts. So as soon as you put "butter on the fish," the meal must begin.
Examples:
- Finally get to the point! Finally put butter on the fish!
- Now put butter on the fish! Will you or won't you?
Similar or related phrases:
- Beating around the bush (opposite idiom)
- To talk turkey
- Get to the point
Or how the Germans say: "Butter bei die Fische." 
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Tell us more in the comments
about your favourite fish and when you wanted someone to get to the point the last time.
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