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Posts by Polonius3  

Joined: 11 Apr 2008 / Male ♂
Warnings: 2 - QQ
Last Post: 9 Apr 2018
Threads: Total: 993 / Live: 704 / Archived: 289
Posts: Total: 12,357 / Live: 11,451 / Archived: 906
From: US Sterling Heigths, MI
Speaks Polish?: yes
Interests: Polish history, genealogy

Displayed posts: 12155 / page 404 of 406
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Polonius3   
23 Jul 2008
Life / Tattoos and Popular culture in Poland [51]

Poland is a pluralistic society and as such different people view different things in different ways. Some view tatoos within the traditional perspective of the convict/seaman/undeclass syndrome or as indicative of weak-minded slaves to fashion ready to uncritically latch on to any passing fad or craze that comes along. Others see it is something cool, trendy, with it, cutting edge, etc. and therefore a badge of what being hip is all about.

Still others see it as a mating signal esp. when worn by tongue-studded and multi-pierced females that someone is a swinger or someone 'on the make' or immoral.

Some people view it in aesthetic terms as either pleasing, cheesy or simply neutral.
And it can also be perceived according to none of the above as yet another example of cheap and tacky commerpop (commercialised media-driven pop culture) out to fleece unsuspecting young people who are the least resistant to MTV and the peer pressures it generates. But no matter how one slcies it, tatoos are a great comemrcial ploy -- you pay dearly to have them applied and even more to later have them removed as many people eventually do. The tatoo guy rakes in a tidy profit, but the customer (victim?) is usually unwittingly exposing himself to an invasive proceudre that is a common cause of deadly type C hepatitis.

There are probably many other takes on all this.
Polonius3   
12 Jul 2008
Food / Traditional Polish Soups. [74]

Spinach can be used when sorrel is not available and the soup should be soured with vinegar or citric-acid crystals to taste. In fact there are tinned creamed of spinach soups which only require a bit of tartness to imitate sorrel soup. Serve hot over hard-boiled egg halves.

Grochówka żołnierska (soldier's pea soup) is one of the things most Polish males miss most about their stint in the service. It is also the standby of many old and not so old bachelors (no they call them "singles"), because it virtually cooks itself. Into soup-pot dump 1 lb (450 gr) split yellow peas, 2-3 bay leaves, 6 or so peppercorns and 1-2 grains allspice, 1-2 diced carrots, 1 diced onion, a slice of celeriac, diced, and 1/4 lb diced smoked kiełbasa. Add 6-7 pints of water, bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer on low 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add a peeled, diced potato and (optional) half a musrooms bouillon cube and simmer on low flame another hour or so. Season with salt, pepper, 1-2 tablespoons marjoram and 1-2 buds crushed garlic or several pinches of garlic powder or granules. Simmer another 15-30 min and let stand covered at least another 15 addiitonal before serving. If refrigerated overnight, it will thicken and some water should be added when re-heating.
Polonius3   
10 Jul 2008
Genealogy / THE MEANING AND RESEARCH OF MY POLISH LAST NAME, SURNAME? [4501]

I found that my family is part of Doliwa coat of arms. Can someone tell me what Rykowski means?

Comes from "ryk" which is usually the loud sound made by an animal or violent wind. In English (depending on the animal species) is might be a roar, low, bray, growl, bellow, trumpet (elephant),etc. But the root notwithstanding, as with nearly all

-owski ending surnames it probably started out as a toponymic nickname, ie derived from places called Ryków or Rykowo (rough translations: Roarton, Bellowshire, Growlville, Braymont or something in that general vein.

So some distant ancestor may have been called Andrzej z Rykowa (Andrew of Roarton) which over time adjectivalised into Andrzej Rykowski.
Polonius3   
9 Jul 2008
Genealogy / POLISH NOBILITY NAMES IN -SKIi [82]

The -ski ending simply means of or from, as does de, di (Italian), van and von.
Yesteryear's Tomasz z £owicza would in time have evolved into Tomasz £owicki in much the same way as Sir Andrew of Hartmore would have eventually become Andrew Hartmore.
Polonius3   
9 Jul 2008
Genealogy / POLISH NOBILITY NAMES IN -SKIi [82]

Surnames ending in -ski are adjectival, and an adjective (as we all remember from school) describes someone as being of, about descended from, connected to or associated with a thing, place or whatever.

Originally knights and nobles had names such as Jan z Tarnowa (John of Tarnów) which in time adjectivalised into Jan Tarnowski.
English experienced a similar, albeit not identical process. John of Bedford eventually became simply John Bedford (the 'of' got dropped).
That is not to suggest that everyone with a Polish surname ending in -ski can trace their roots back to noble lineage, but it does mean there were nobles using that surname. More nobles used -ski ending names than those, for instance, describing tools, foods and animals: Motyka, Byk, Serwatka, Żyto, Kogut, Kołek, Baran, £opata, Wróbel, etc. which were names most often used by peasants. But there were nobles amongst the bearers of such names as well. At times, am entire village got ennobled for defending the prince against an enemy foray.

The German equiavlent of a -ski name is one starting with von, Dutch -- van, French -- de, etc.
Polonius3   
1 Jul 2008
Language / WHICH AUNT IS THE WUJENKA IN POLISH? [9]

If the father's sistrer is a stryjenka, does that make the outsider she marries a stryj, or is he simply a wujek?
Polonius3   
1 Jul 2008
Language / WHAT CASE DOES BŁOGOSŁAWIĆ TAKE? [6]

What is the difference (if any) between "błogosławię Wam" and "błogosławię Was",
ie dative or accusative??
Polonius3   
29 Jun 2008
USA, Canada / CLEVELAND'S SLAVIC VILLAGE? Old Polish neighbourhood. [18]

Anyone familiar with Cleveland's Slavic Village? It was a deteriorating old Polish neighbourhood that underwent ethnic-style urban renewal in the 1970s and '80s. The high street was spruced up gables, balconies, shutters and facades stylised to resemble the Tatra chalet style of Podhal4e. Anyone know if the project has survived?
Polonius3   
25 Jun 2008
Genealogy / THE MEANING AND RESEARCH OF MY POLISH LAST NAME, SURNAME? [4501]

Koladycz

For information on the Koladycz surname please contact me.

Molik

Molik might have been derived from the verb молиться (Ruthenian for "to pray"), so it could have arisen as a nickname fro someone who prayed a lot, a pious person. The Polish equivalent would be Modlik

I wonder if it migth be connected to the insect known as the praying mantis (modliszka) which copulates with the male mantis and then proceeds to devour him for lunch.
Polonius3   
19 Jun 2008
Genealogy / Looking for any Glaszcz's from Poland (Głaszcz surname) [2]

The Głaszcz surname (Glaszcz does not exist in Poland!) appears derived from the verb głaskać (to pet, stroke, fondle). It is shared by some 150 people in today's Poland. For a complete surname analysis please contact me.
Polonius3   
9 Jun 2008
Food / Bread Baking in Poland [65]

In the recipe ingredients you list wholewheat rye flour. Did you mean wholegrain rye flour as in the heading?
Do you use only rye flour which is very low in gluten and does nto rise too well. Usually some white (wheat) flour is added. In fact the breads now comemrcially made in Poland contain less and less rye flour, only 30-40%. Many brands are becoming more and more like the cotton-fluff stuff the Brits call white bread.
Polonius3   
9 Jun 2008
News / Original cars manufactured in Poland [64]

In 2007 Poland's top-selling marques in this order were:
Toyota, Skoda, Opel, Fiat, VW, Ford, Renault, Peugeot, Citroën and Honda.

Merged: Anyone ever seen a Mikrus (car)?

A Maluch (126P) was Lincoln stretch limo compared to the miniscule Mikrus which appeared at the turn of the 1960s. It was really tiny, had pram-sized, perhaps 10" wheels and you felt you'd lose your fillings if the road was less than perfectly smooth. It could hasve motorised Poland a good decade before the Maluch but Big Brother said "nyet". He felt it would be comeptiton for their Zaporozhets. Probabylno more than about 2,000 units were built, so it was still in the prototype stage.
Polonius3   
8 Jun 2008
News / Original cars manufactured in Poland [64]

It's hard to say what you saw, but a few decades ago there were 3-wheeled Czech-built vehicles for the handicapped -- basically an enclosed motorbike with windsreen, hood, side-screens or doors. The body was made from a brown, leatherette-type substance. I'm sure they haven't been produced for years.

Is the Velorex 3-wheeler what you saw?
pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikrosamoch%C3%B3d
Polonius3   
8 Jun 2008
News / Original cars manufactured in Poland [64]

About the only pre-war Polsih-buitl cars still about are the Polski Fiats. They turn up at oldtimer parades and rallies, esp. the miniscule Topolino (a two-seater with a small jump seat fro a child or very small adult in back) which was produced in the largest number. One does occasionally still encounter pre-war Mercedes, BMW Dixi and a few others, but these were not produced in Poland. Chevrolet assembled their cars in Warsaw in the 1930s. There is an old car museum in the Warsaw suburb of Otrębusy. In general, Poland had few motorcars on the road before WW2, and many were taken abraod (to Romania) when refugees began fleeing the combined German-Soviet invasion of 1939. The Germans and Russiasn confiscated many of those that remained, and the war destroyed most of the rest. Some survived hidden in sheds, haystacks and forest dugouts -- often in good condition.
Polonius3   
8 Jun 2008
News / Original cars manufactured in Poland [64]

Merged: POLISH MOTORCARS THEN AND NOW?

Anyone interested in the history and current sitauton of Poland's motor industry? Has anyone on this forum heard of such pre-war makes as SKAF, Polonia, Iradam or CWS? How about such post-war models the Meduza, Mikrus, Smyk, Brzdąc, Wars and Beskid? Closer to our times, although lightly protected, the Honker light military reconaissance vehicle has performed well in a torrid, desert climate. One of the world's most outstanding and pricey sportscars, owned by kings and sheiks, is also produced in Poland?
Polonius3   
6 Jun 2008
Food / Sauekraut and Peas served at Wigilia [15]

Here is the recipe, if itnerested.

SAUERKRAUT & PEAS (kapusta z grochem): Soak 1-2 dried bolete mushrooms in waterr several hrs and cook in same water unitl tender. Chop mushrooms and return to their water. Cook 1 c yellow split peas in 2-1/2 c water until tender. Drain and corasely chop 1 qt sauerkraut and rinse if it is very sour. Squeeze out moisture,place in pot, add water to cover, 1 bay leaf several peppersorns and 1-2 graisn allspcie and simmer about 60 min. Add mushrooms and their stock, cooked drained peas adn (optional) 1 (Winairy ro Knorr) mushroom bouillon cube. Sauté 2 chopped onions in 3 T oil until tender and lightly browned around the edges. Stir in 2 T flour and brown lightly. Stir in several T sauerkraut liquid from pot, stir mixture into sauerkraut and cook covered on low heat at least another hr, stirring occasionally. Sauerkraut & peas can also be cooked only on the cooker or transferred to baking dish and baked in a medium oven. Season with 1 t sugar, 1/4 t pepper and several pinches of ground caraway and/or marjoram. Note: The more time-consuming original recipe called for whole yellow dried peas which need to be soaked overnight and cooked in the same water the next day until tender.
Polonius3   
5 Jun 2008
Life / POLES FIND CZECH FUNNY! [42]

Mea maxima culpa. That's what happens when you know a smattering of different Slavonic tongues. I wanted to start with perepraszuju, but that must be Ukrainian.
Polonius3   
5 Jun 2008
Life / POLES FIND CZECH FUNNY! [42]

It is sometimes said that the Czech language sounds as ridiculous to a Pole as Dutch does to English speakers. Almost the same but contorted beyond recogniton.

There is a whole slew of jokes taking the p*ss out of Czech. For instance:
How do you say 'pigeon' in Czech? - DAchowyh Osranec (in Polish roof-crapper).
What is the Czech word for a student hostel for women: HOdowla DIwek (in Polish: ***** breeder).
Czechs fully reciprocate: How do you say 'All's quiet on the Western Front' in Polish? - Na ZA-pade, ne Nowiny (which in Czech means in the privy there are no newspapers (fopr wiping).

Heard any others?
Polonius3   
5 Jun 2008
Language / Polish words difficult to translate into English [66]

That calls to mind anotter difficult word -- murowany as in "murowany zamek"... English is more precise in specifying whether it was made of brick or stone.

Yes, wychwoanie is upbringing or rearing, but how does that sound in a proper name: Departament of Upbringing, Child Education and Rearing Department???

Can you think of any other such untranslatable or difficult to translate Polish words.
Polonius3   
4 Jun 2008
Language / Polish words difficult to translate into English [66]

Polish words difficult to translate into English include:
ZABYTEK, ZABYTKOWY: For isnstance: W naszym mieście jest sporo barokowych zabytków; zabytkowy samochód, książka, fresk...
WYCHOWANIE, WYCHOWAWCZY: Ministerstwo Oświaty i Wychowania; zakład wychowawczy
REPREZENTACYJNY: reprezentacyjna sala, fundusz reprezentacyjny
KAMIENICA: On mieszka na parterze zabytkowej kamienicy
KILKANAŚCIE, KILKADZIESIĄT: kilknaście osób, kilkanaście tysięcy dolarów, kilkadziesiąt lat
Any suggestions, other examples?
Polonius3   
4 Jun 2008
Genealogy / surname Krawiec [38]

Yiddish kravitz is an adaptation of the Polish krawiec (from the verb krawać - to cut /cloth/). The more typical Yiddish word and name was Schneider (from German) in Poland often respelt Sznajder.

Majdosz might have originated in dialectic peasant slang to mean southpaw (left-handed person) -- something once frowned upon as unnatural and abnormal.
Polonius3   
3 Jun 2008
Genealogy / Want to find a person [755]

[Moved from]: USING PEOPLE-FINDERS TO TRACK DOWN POLES?

Has anyone used or know how effective Internet people finders are in Poland?
For instance: peoplesite.com/search.asp
Unfortunately, this one requries the name and address. ISstehre any population data base that would list all the people using the Chrisitian name and surname with their addresses, phones and e-mails? Probably not. Does anyone know for sure?
Polonius3   
2 Jun 2008
USA, Canada / Polish Language Newspapers available in the US [21]

There used to be a number of Polish papers in Ohio. They included Monitor Clvelandzki and Polonia w Ameryce. The Cleveland Polonia's big daily was

Wiadomości Codzienne, but it was the weekly Ameryka-Echo out of Toledo that was read nationwide. Probably the last such publication was the Związkowiec/Alliancer, official organ of the Cleveland-based Aliance of Poles (see below). When the Alliance merged with Chicago's PRCUA, the Związkowiec folded and it now exists only as an insert to the PRCUA organ Naród Polski.

DEFUNCT 'Związkowiec/Alliancer'
(Organ of the Alliance of Poles in America)
6966 Broadway Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44105

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THE MAIN POL-AM NEWSPAPERS NOW STILL APPEARING IN THE USA:

Polish-American Journal
Mr Mark A. Kohan, Editor, PAJ
PO Box 328
Boston, NY 14025,USA

Dr Wojciech A. Wierzewski
Editor-in-Chief, 'Zgoda'
6100 North Cicero Avenue
Chicago, IL 60646-4385, USA

Mrs Renée Harzewski
Editor-Publisher, 'Am-Pol Eagle'
3620 Harlem Road
Cheektowaga, NY 14215, USA

Mrs Kathryn G. Rosypał
Executive Editor, 'Naród Polski'
984 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622-4199, USA

Mrs Linda Romalewski
Editor, 'Polish-American World'
3100 Grand Boulevard
Baldwin, LI, NY 11510, USA

Editor/Publisher Krystyna Teller
Polish News (now only online version)
6134 W. Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60634

Straż Monthly
Editor Edmund Kotula
1004 Pittston Avenue
Scranton, PA 18505, USA

Raymond Bittner
Polish Art Center (Web site)
9539 Jos Campau
Hamtramck, MI 48212

'Polish Falcon'
615 Iron City Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15205-4397, USA

Michael Symański
Polish Weekly/Tygodnik Polski"
11903 Jos. Campau Ave,
Hamtramck, MI 48212

Mr Jacek Hilgier
Editor, "Gwiazda Polarna"
2619 Post Road
Stevens Pt, WI 54481-6128, USA

Mr Marty Cepielik
'News of Polonia'
2245 E. Colorado Blvd #104/177
Pasadena, CA 91107

Dr Wojciech Białasiewicz
Editor-in-Chief, 'Dziennik Związkowy'
5711 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60646-6215

Nowy Dziennik'
(Independent Polish-language daily)
333 West 38th Street
New York, NY 10018

'Dziennik Chicagowski'
(Independent Polish-language daily)
1900 North Austin
Chicago, IL 60639

Sebastian Szczepański
Czas Polski/Polish Times
3940 Morrissey
Warren, MI 48091

Marcin A. Bolec
Biały Orzeł - White Eagle
129 Kingston St, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02111

'Post Eagle'
(New Jersey's English-language Polonian weekly)
800 Van Houten Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07039

'Sarmatian Review'
(Scholarly journal focusing on Polish
history, culture and society)
PO Box 79119
Houston, TX 77279-9119

'Nowy Dziennik'
(Independent Polish-language daily)
333 West 38th Street
New York, NY 10018

'Gwiazda Polarna'
(Polish-language fortnightly)
2619 Post Road
Stevens Point, WI 54481-6128

'Tygodnik Nowojorski'
(NY Polish-language weekly)
922 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11222

'Głos Polek'
(Organ of the Polish Women's Alliance)
205 South Northwest Highway
Park Ridge, IL 60068-5876
Polonius3   
1 Jun 2008
Life / Drinking games in Poland [44]

No widely known games as such, but many humorous toasts, including
-- Zdrowie pięknych pań oraz mojej żony!
-- Cluśniem bo uśniem.
-- Jan Sebastian BACH
-- Żeby nam się dobrze działo, a że działo to armata, aby nam się armaciało!
-- No to chlup w głupi dziób!
-- Cztery kąty a piec piąty
Anyone know any others?
Polonius3   
29 May 2008
Genealogy / THE MEANING AND RESEARCH OF MY POLISH LAST NAME, SURNAME? [4501]

You can easily find out the meaning and derivation of your Polish surname, how many people use it, where they live and whether a coat of arms accompanies it. You will also learn how to touch base with genealogists able to trace your family tree and possibly even track down your family's ancestral homestead in Poland.

To find out more, please contact me
Polonius3   
18 May 2008
Life / Mothers day in Poland [19]

Mother's Day (Dzień Matki) is celebrated on 26th May in Poland.
Polonius3   
18 May 2008
Language / NAMES POLES GIVE THEIR DOGS [76]

As far as I know, all Polish bitch names end in -a. But there's no reason why you couldn't blaze a new trail and give your female dog a male name or anything else for that matter.