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  What it means

  Literally “to have gudgeons (small fish) in one’s head,” this humorous idiom describes someone who has silly, chaotic, or unrealistic ideas. It is used to characterize someone who is flighty, disorganized, or perhaps a bit “scatterbrained.” It suggests that instead of serious thoughts, the person’s mind is full of darting, insignificant little fish.

  Vocabulary

  • kiełbie — gudgeons (a type of small freshwater fish)
  • łeb — head (informal/animal term)
  • głupoty — nonsense / silly things

  Grammar note

  'We łbie' is the locative form of 'łeb.' Notice the mobile vowel 'e' appears in the preposition 'we' (instead of 'w') to make it easier to pronounce before the consonant cluster 'łb'.

  Cultural context

  Using 'łeb' instead of 'głowa' makes this expression very informal and slightly blunt. It is often used by parents or teachers to describe a young person who isn't focusing on their responsibilities.

  Intermediate

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