Święta Katarzyna śmiechem, święty Jędrzej grzechem
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What it means
“Saint Catherine with laughter, Saint Andrew with sin.” A variant of the previous proverb using the folk form ‘Jędrzej’ for Andrew. The meaning is identical.
Vocabulary
- święta — saint (feminine)
- śmiech — laughter
- Jędrzej — Andrew (folk form of Andrzej)
- grzech — sin
Grammar note
'Śmiechem' and 'grzechem' are instrumental case forms. 'Jędrzej' is the folk/archaic form of 'Andrzej'.
Cultural context
Saint Andrew's Day (30 November) marks the eve of Advent. This variant uses the older folk name Jędrzej instead of Andrzej.
Intermediate
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