Co wolno wojewodzie, to nie tobie, smrodzie
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What it means
What is permitted to the governor is not permitted to you, stinker — rules differ for the powerful and the common people.
English equivalent
One law for the rich and another for the poor.
Vocabulary
- wolno — it is permitted, one may
- wojewoda — voivode, regional governor
- smród — stench; here used as a contemptuous address (stinker)
Grammar note
Rhymes on 'wojewodzie' and 'smrodzie' (locative/dative forms). The rhyme makes the social contrast memorable.
Cultural context
The 'wojewoda' was a powerful regional administrator in historical Poland. The rhyme uses 'smrodzie' as a humorous insult for the common person.
Intermediate
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