Fish, to taste right, must swim three times — in water, in butter, and in wine.

This saying is a traditional culinary proverb from Central/Eastern European food culture, where freshwater fish (carp, pike, perch) and rich sauces are common. It is typically invoked in convivial settings—kitchens, taverns, or holiday meals—to justify generous cooking fat and a proper drink alongside the dish. The “three swims” formula is a mnemonic joke: the fish first lives in water, then is cooked in butter (or another fat), and finally is best accompanied by wine. As a proverb, it circulates orally and in collections of Polish sayings rather than having a single identifiable moment of utterance.

The proverb humorously argues that good fish requires both proper preparation and proper accompaniment. “Swimming in butter” points to basting, sautéing, or saucing—techniques that enrich lean fish and carry flavor. The final “swim” in wine shifts from cooking to dining: the meal is completed by a drink that complements the fish and enhances sociability. Beneath the joke is a broader folk wisdom about completeness and balance—ingredients, technique, and convivial context all matter. It also reflects a celebratory attitude toward abundance, implying that restraint (too little fat, no wine) diminishes pleasure.