Góra urodziła mysz
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What it means
Literally “the mountain gave birth to a mouse.” Describes a situation where enormous effort, preparation, or expectation produces a laughably small result. From the Latin proverb ‘parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus.’
Vocabulary
- góra — mountain
- urodzić — to give birth to (perfective)
- mysz — mouse
Grammar note
'Mysz' is the accusative singular — the object of 'urodziła'.
Cultural context
Known in Polish since at least the Renaissance via Horace's Ars Poetica. Still very much in active use.
Intermediate
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