Diabeł się w ornat ubrał i ogonem na mszę dzwoni
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What it means
The devil dressed in vestments and rings the bell for mass with his tail. Describes a hypocrite who puts on a pious or respectable appearance while their true nature remains wicked.
Vocabulary
- diabeł — devil
- ornat — chasuble (liturgical vestment)
- ubrać się — to dress oneself
- ogon — tail
- msza — mass (Catholic church service)
- dzwonić — to ring (a bell)
Grammar note
'Ubrał się' — reflexive past tense. 'Ogonem' — instrumental, indicating the means: 'with his tail'.
Cultural context
A vivid image from Catholic folk culture, satirising religious hypocrisy.
Intermediate
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