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  What it means

  “On Saint Agatha’s Day the rags will dry.” A weather proverb for 5 February: if the day is dry and sunny enough to dry laundry outdoors, it signals a mild spell ahead.

  Vocabulary

  • święta — saint (feminine)
  • Agata — Agatha
  • uschnąć — to dry out, to wither dry
  • szmata — rag, cloth

  Grammar note

  'Uschną' is third-person plural future of 'uschnąć'. 'Szmaty' is the nominative plural of 'szmata'. 'Świętej Agaty' is the genitive.

  Cultural context

  Saint Agatha's Day (5 February) was watched for signs of approaching spring in Polish folk tradition.

  Beginner

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