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  What it means

  “Promises are just sweet nothings, and only a fool rejoices at them.” Empty promises may sound pleasant, but only a naive person takes them at face value. Don’t celebrate until the deed is done.

  English equivalent

  Promises are like pie crust — made to be broken.

  Vocabulary

  • obiecanki — promises (diminutive, slightly dismissive)
  • cacanki — sweet nothings, trifles (rhyming filler word)
  • głupi — fool, stupid person
  • radość — joy, delight

  Grammar note

  'Głupiemu' is the dative singular of 'głupi', indicating the recipient of the joy. The rhyme 'obiecanki–cacanki' is a deliberate folk rhyme that underscores the emptiness of promises.

  Cultural context

  The rhyming pair 'obiecanki cacanki' is a fixed expression in Polish, instantly recognisable as a dismissal of hollow pledges.

  Beginner

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