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  What it means

  Literally “what the governor may do, you may not, you stinker.” Means rules apply differently to those in power — what’s permitted for the powerful is forbidden for ordinary people. A sardonic comment on double standards.

  Vocabulary

  • wolno — it is permitted / allowed
  • wojewoda — governor / voivode
  • smród — stench / stinker (insult)

  Grammar note

  'Wojewodzie' and 'tobie' are dative forms — 'it is permitted to the governor / to you.' 'Smrodzie' is vocative of 'smród,' used as a contemptuous address.

  Cultural context

  A classic Polish proverb about social inequality and the privileges of power. Still very much in use in political commentary.

  Intermediate

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