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  What it means

  Literally “to pretend to be a Greek.” This common idiom describes someone who is “playing dumb.” When someone “udaje Greka,” they pretend to be ignorant, confused, or unaware of what is happening in the situation to avoid questions or responsibility.

  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 may refer to "Socratic irony," when the Greek philosopher Socrates pretended to be ignorant to expose flaws in other people's logic. Today, it simply describes anyone who is dodging a question.

  Intermediate

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