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  What it means

  “Saint Andrew with sin, Saint Catherine with laughter.” A folk saying contrasting the solemn, penitential mood of Saint Andrew’s Day with the merry celebrations of Saint Catherine’s Day (25 November).

  Vocabulary

  • grzech — sin
  • śmiech — laughter
  • Katarzyna — Catherine

  Grammar note

  This is an elliptical construction with the verb omitted. 'Grzechem' and 'śmiechem' are instrumental forms that suggest 'is associated with'.

  Cultural context

  Saint Catherine's Day (25 November) was traditionally a day of dancing and merrymaking, while Andrzejki carried a more mystical, introspective tone.

  Intermediate

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