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  What it means

  “Saint Andrew with sin, Saint Catherine with laughter.” A folk saying contrasting the solemn, penitential mood of Saint Andrew’s Day with the merry celebrations of Saint Catherine’s Day (25 November).

  Vocabulary

  • grzech — sin
  • śmiech — laughter
  • Katarzyna — Catherine

  Grammar note

  An elliptical construction — the verb is omitted. 'Grzechem' and 'śmiechem' are instrumental case forms, implying 'is associated with'.

  Cultural context

  Saint Catherine's Day (25 November) was traditionally a day of dancing and merrymaking, while Andrzejki carried a more mystical, introspective tone.

  Intermediate

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