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  What it means

  The devil dressed in vestments and rings the bell for mass with his tail. Describes a hypocrite who puts on a pious or respectable appearance while their true nature remains wicked.

  Vocabulary

  • diabeł — devil
  • ornat — chasuble (liturgical vestment)
  • ubrać się — to dress oneself
  • ogon — tail
  • msza — mass (Catholic church service)
  • dzwonić — to ring (a bell)

  Grammar note

  'Ubrał się' — reflexive past tense. 'Ogonem' — instrumental, indicating the means: 'with his tail'.

  Cultural context

  A vivid image from Catholic folk culture, satirising religious hypocrisy.

  Intermediate

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