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  What it means

  Literally “the scourge of God.” Refers to a person or force that brings devastating punishment — historically applied to Attila the Hun, and now used for anyone who wreaks havoc or is a terror to others.

  Vocabulary

  • bicz — whip / scourge
  • boży — God's / divine

  Grammar note

  'Boży' is a possessive adjective meaning 'of God', agreeing with 'bicz' (masculine). In use: 'jest biczem bożym dla swoich pracowników' — he's a terror to his employees.

  Cultural context

  The phrase 'flagellum Dei' (scourge of God) was a Latin epithet for Attila. It entered Polish through religious and historical tradition and is now used both seriously and hyperbolically.

  Intermediate

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