compter pour du beurre

You use it as a verb phrase: compter pour du beurre. You can use it for people or for things like opinions and votes. If you feel ignored in a meeting, you might whisper this to a colleague. It is very common in games when practicing a round. You say the practice round compte pour du beurre so no one gets upset about losing.

Use it when you feel left out of a decision. It is perfect for social situations where you feel like a ghost. Use it when texting a friend who forgot to invite you to lunch. It works well in casual sports or board games. It adds a touch of self-deprecation or lighthearted complaining to your speech.

Do not use this in a very serious legal or medical context. If a doctor ignores a symptom, don't say it 'counts for butter.' That is too trivial for high-stakes situations. Avoid using it with your boss if you are actually angry. It sounds a bit childish, like a kid on a playground. In a high-level corporate negotiation, stick to more professional terms for 'insignificant.'

This expression dates back to the 19th century. Butter was common, but it melts away and disappears easily. If something 'counts for butter,' it has no solid substance. In French culture, food is everything, so even insignificance is measured in groceries. It captures that French flair for using the kitchen to describe the soul. It is a staple of French childhood and playground politics.

You might hear c'est du beurre, which usually means something is very easy. Don't confuse the two! You can also say compter pour des prunes (to count for plums). Both mean the same thing: you are being ignored. Plums and butter are the two pillars of French insignificance. Stick to butter if you want to sound more classic.