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  What it means

  Literally “to scorch the boot-tops.” An old-fashioned, charming way to say “to court someone” or “to flirt with the intention of marriage.”

  Vocabulary

  • smalić — to singe / scorch
  • cholewka — the upper part of a boot

  Grammar note

  Accusative plural 'cholewki'.

  Cultural context

  Refers to suitors sitting so close to the fireplace in the girl's house that their boots would start to singe.

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