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  What it means

  Literally “to pretend to be a Greek.” This is a common way to describe someone who is “playing dumb.” When someone “udaje Greka,” they are pretending to be ignorant, confused, or uninformed about a situation to avoid being questioned or held accountable.

  Vocabulary

  • udawać — to pretend
  • Grek — a Greek (person)
  • niewiedza — ignorance

  Grammar note

  'Greka' is the accusative singular of 'Grek'. In Polish, names of nationalities are capitalized.

  Cultural context

  The origin likely refers to "Socratic irony," where the Greek philosopher Socrates would pretend to be ignorant to draw out the flaws in others' logic. Today, it’s used much more simply for anyone dodging a question.

  Intermediate

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