Posts by Tomek2

Tomek2

13 Mar 2008

Genealogy / Polish Silesians? [25]

Hello, I'm new to this forum, and I need some help. I've come across a few Silesian expressions that neither I nor my wife (who is Polish) understand. We would be very grateful for a translation of "te baliki ze szpindów" -- the whole phrase is "co by się te baliki ze szpindów stacili..." (possibly "stracili"). Dictionaries haven't been of much use.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Tomek2

13 Mar 2008

Language / Meaning of "zafraskany" [9]

I would appreciate help with a word that I haven't found in any Polish dictionary so far; the word is "zafraskany" and it appears in connection with two groups of WWII prisoners, who are being summoned: "Ej! Gnieźniaki zafraskane..." and again "Pepiki zafraskane..." The groups must refer to men from Gniezno and Czechs. The modifier is almost certainly positive in connotation.

Thanks for any ideas on this elusive word.

Tomek2

16 Mar 2008

Language / Meaning of "zafraskany" [9]

Thanks for all of your comments. Because the word "zafraskane" (plural) appears twice in a well-edited text, I doubt that it is a misspelling or typographical error. Although in one instance it is paired with "pepiki" (which apparently is Polish slang for Czechs), the speakers are Polish, so the word is very likely Polish. But it's not in any Polish dictionaries. Perhaps it was a slang word dating back to the days of WWII.

I added a Polish query on the same word in the "translation help" forum, thinking that some older person who might not understand English could help.

Again, thank you all for your thoughts, whether in English or Polish!

Tomek2

27 Mar 2008

Genealogy / Polish Silesians? [25]

Thanks for the comments on my inquiry, particularly those of Polson and Lukasz K, both very interesting. I guess it will take some luck to find an older Silesian who recalls the particular words in question (baliki ze szpindów). The phrase apparently baffles speakers of Polish.