Kląć jak szewc
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What it means
Literally “to swear like a cobbler.” Means to curse constantly and colourfully — “to swear like a trooper,” “to curse like a sailor.”
Vocabulary
- kląć — to curse, to swear
- szewc — cobbler, shoemaker
Grammar note
'Jak szewc' — nominative after 'jak' in a comparison.
Cultural context
Cobblers had a reputation in Polish folk culture for foul language — possibly because of the frustrating, painstaking nature of their work. 'Pijany jak szewc' (drunk as a cobbler) is another phrase from the same tradition.
Intermediate
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