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  What it means

  Literally “to babble like Piekarski under torture.” Means to talk utter nonsense or say things that don’t make sense.

  Vocabulary

  • pleść — to weave; to babble/talk nonsense
  • męki — tortures / agony

  Grammar note

  'Na mękach' is the locative plural of 'męka'.

  Cultural context

  Refers to Michał Piekarski, who attempted to assassinate King Sigismund III Vasa in 1620. During his trial/torture, his testimony was so incoherent that it became a national proverb.

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