FMaterialCachedExpressionData::UpdateForExpressions iterates on all expressions, even for those that are not enabled in a material instance or not even connected to output. This will enable features (such as WPO) that wouldn't be used since the connection may be on a disconnected path, and this can be create performance issues and make it difficult to debug.
This comment in IsGBufferLayoutSupportedForMaterial hints at the confusion: "FMaterialShaderParameters::bHasVertexPositionOffsetConnected means that the material could have WPO".
In other code, the word connected means something else, for example in U*Material::IsPropertyConnected,* it is considered as "is property used and different from the usual default", such as FMaterialResource::IsNonmetal (the connected constant may be a 1 on Metallic pin)
Example Material:
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There's no existing public thread on this issue, so head over to Questions & Answers just mention UE-393669 in the post.