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  What it means

  By St. Catherine’s Day (25 November) it is time to put on new shoes. A seasonal proverb marking the onset of winter and the need for sturdier footwear.

  Vocabulary

  • panna — maiden; Miss
  • obłóczyny — putting on (clothes/shoes); donning

  Grammar note

  'Do panny Katarzyny' — genitive after 'do', referring to the feast day. 'Obłóczyny' is an archaic noun from 'obłóczyć' (to put on clothing).

  Cultural context

  St. Catherine's Day (Katarzyny) on 25 November was a traditional marker of the beginning of winter in the Polish folk calendar.

  Intermediate

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