Meaning
Talking about nothing useful.
Cultural Background
In the agricultural heartland of Slavonia, this phrase is deeply rooted in the actual history of wheat farming. In modern Zagreb offices, the phrase is used to mock 'buzzword-heavy' corporate speak. While used, Dalmatians might prefer other idioms like 'prodavati maglu' (selling fog) for similar situations. Journalists often use this to describe politicians who avoid answering questions.
Context is key
Only use this with people you know well. It can sound rude.
Don't use in formal writing
It is strictly an informal idiom.
Meaning
Talking about nothing useful.
Context is key
Only use this with people you know well. It can sound rude.
Don't use in formal writing
It is strictly an informal idiom.
Use it to end a meeting
If you want to leave a boring meeting, say 'Mislim da mlatimo praznu slamu'.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Dosta mi je slušati kako on _________ cijeli dan.
The correct idiom is 'mlatiti praznu slamu'.
Which situation is appropriate for this idiom?
When is it appropriate to say 'mlatiti praznu slamu'?
The idiom is used to describe unproductive, empty talk.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Što misliš o današnjem sastanku? B: Ništa, samo smo _________.
The context implies the meeting was unproductive.
Match the situation to the correct description.
Situation: A colleague talks for an hour without saying anything useful.
The idiom fits the description of unproductive talk.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDosta mi je slušati kako on _________ cijeli dan.
The correct idiom is 'mlatiti praznu slamu'.
When is it appropriate to say 'mlatiti praznu slamu'?
The idiom is used to describe unproductive, empty talk.
A: Što misliš o današnjem sastanku? B: Ništa, samo smo _________.
The context implies the meeting was unproductive.
Situation: A colleague talks for an hour without saying anything useful.
The idiom fits the description of unproductive talk.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsOnly if you have a very casual relationship. Otherwise, avoid it.
It can be, as it implies the other person is useless.
The verb changes, but the idiom remains the same.
Yes, but adding 'praznu' makes it more idiomatic.
Yes, it is common in all Serbo-Croatian speaking areas.
People will be confused because it doesn't mean anything.
It is more of an idiom than slang.
Only in a very informal email to a friend.
Yes, it is a very standard idiom.
The idiom itself is neutral, but the verb conjugates.
Related Phrases
Prodavati maglu
similarTo sell fog
Šuplja priča
similarHollow story
Gubiti vrijeme
builds onTo waste time
Pričati u vjetar
similarTo talk into the wind
