Language / Polish Swear Words [1242]

What does the 'macz' mean in 'kurwa macz'? Is it 'macz' or 'mac'?

I once jokingly said 'krowa macz' and everyone seems to find this highly amusing.

Language / Is the term 'Polak' derogatory?? [254]

I think the answer is you called a Polish girl a Polish MAN. If I was her, I might be slightly offended.

Language / English borrowings in Polish [38]

Okay, so there is too much English in Polish nowadays. Surely the majority of people read these words found in computer games (for example) as if they are Polish words, but languages will change. Almost half of English is borrowed French, pronounced wrongly.

The only English word that has come from Polish, I think, was 'horde', and that was originally a Turkish anyway. I had always thought kiosk was Polish, but that was Turkish as well.

Food / Your favourite Polish foods! [180]

Next time I visit Poland, I will need some cheese. Good British cheese is fantastic. Polish food generally, is fantastic, but I'm yet to find a good Polish cheese. My preferences are soft blues or light and crumbly.

Travel / Collection of dress codes in Poland - what to wear? [95]

Generally speaking, Poles dress better than the Germans, British and Americans. But then that's not particularly difficult.

Life / Famous Polish people (that we have actually heard of) [224]

I vote for two film directors: Roman Polanski and Krzystof Kieslowski.

Then I'd point out that Polish jazz, certainly in the past, was possibly the best European jazz after Django Reinhardt.

There was a Dr. Zamenhof - invented Esperanto. What? I hear you ask.

But any little thing that inspires greatness in others (no matter how big or how small) is to be applauded.

Language / Is the term 'Polak' derogatory?? [254]

I don't really like the word Brit, however it is spoken. If I'm spoken to in English, I'd prefer to hear 'Englishman'. If I'm speaking English, I tend to say Polish man, Polish woman or Polish people. Maybe Poles.

Language / Polish Lessons Units [189]

Fantastic stuff. Cheers, Janusz. I particularly like the choice of words and pictures to match.

I had found it difficult to distinguish between some of the sounds of the language. I had been learning by ear, but my ear wasn't tuned to distinguish between some of the sounds that are similar yet different.

Language / Too many English words in the Polish language! [709]


Actually just over 100 years ago, a man in Poland devised Esperanto with the idea that it would be everyone's second language. At the time, I believe Dr. Zamenhof had to speak Polish, Russian, Yiddish and possibly German. As he was a doctor, he also required some knowledge of Latin. A few people who wear sandals speak Esperanto to this day.

Language / Too many English words in the Polish language! [709]

I should know. My dad's hobby is Esperanto. I don't give a damn about it, but I know enough to correct him all the time when he makes mistakes. Either that or I speak English but putting the letter 'o' on the end of every word.

Food / Typical lunch in Poland? [50]

I don't know how typical this is, but I recently stayed with a family in Lomza. They had quite a high appreciation of food. Meals went something like this:

Breakfast: ham, sausage, other cured meats with bread, some onion and tomato, pickled cucumber and so on. And coffee.

Lunch: quite a hearty meal, usually starting with a soup course.

Tea: pretty much the same as breakfast

However, throughout the day, snacks (and drinks) would mysteriously appear. There did seem to be a hell of a lot of food, but then, my hosts often commented on how thin I was and I think they were trying to fatten me up. Poor skinny, malnourished Englishman who obviously never gets any proper food at home!

Language / Too many English words in the Polish language! [709]

Rendzina is a kind of soil you get overlaying chalk. I've read that this comes from Polish, but I don't know for certain. Soil scientists use the word, but it's not often heard in the pubs and supermarket aisles of Great Britain.

Language / Too many English words in the Polish language! [709]

Czech, mate!

Life / Do you think that Polish people are rude? [951]

A couple of years ago, a housemate of mine was Polish. We used to sit in the kitchen chatting while the landlady was watching soap opera after soap opera. I mentioned to him that we had some Poles at work. He was no Polonophile - strangely he seemed to prefer England, but then he was no Michal. He showed no interest in this and the topic of conversation moved on. Just before he left the room, he leaned over and quietly said: "Look out! All Polish people are thieves!"

Life / Do you think that Polish people are rude? [951]


I do. Listen up, foreigners. Britain sucks. A bit.
I love it despite everything that is wrong with it.
That includes my rude British neighbours.


All Polish people are lovely. Almost.
I was really referring to a sense of humour. Possibly a subject for a different thread.

The xenophobes always make the most noise because they are the ones who feel they need to do all the convincing. From where I am, the noise seems to come more from the press, and not just the British press.

Life / Famous Polish people (that we have actually heard of) [224]

Well, in the UK we're Romano-Celtic-Anglo-Saxon-Viking-Norman-Afro-Caribbean-Indian-Chinese- everythingelsian, so it can't be us.

Life / Famous Polish people (that we have actually heard of) [224]


Much maligned ruler. He was showing his fawning courtiers that he was NOT like a god who could turn the tide. Allegedly.

How Polish was he?

Was he really a Cnut?

Did he have a line of clothing and accessories named after him like fcuk?

Language / Is the term 'Polak' derogatory?? [254]


Amongst black people, it is still a derogatory term used by those who see themselves as more respectable. Those who do not wish to be seen as (that kind of) respectable give it that same meaning, but don't mind calling themselves N-.

UK, Ireland / Warning to British people visiting Poland!! Don't get drunk and smash the place up! [447]

Look out, British tourists! You might have a couple of beers with some kids who then show you round a derelict factory with shed-loads of asbestos in it which will get into your lungs and kill you.

Polonia / Ever been to Sweden? [185]

I don't know about Norway and Swedem. I believe it's a bit expensive. But Finland has some marvellous sheds. The dark wood they use, and their rustic, idiosyncratic charm is almost enough to make me want to go there.

Polonia / Ever been to Sweden? [185]

Spitzbergen - now that sounds interesting, not only for humans, but donkeys and polar bears too.

Polonia / Ever been to Sweden? [185]

I knew a man who went to Sweden for six months. He was hoping to meet a tall blonde Swedish lady.
He met a short brunette.
He returned to the UK with a stolen bicycle.

Language / Polish Swear Words [1242]

Somebody was encouraging me to shout "Bartek świrus" or something like that (I'm guessing the spelling). I refused because Bartek is a friend, and I'm fairly sure this is something rude. We often swear at eachother for fun, but only if we know what we are saying.

Life / Do you think that Polish people are rude? [951]

Might be the kind of Polish people you've met.

By the way, you can edit your posts. Take a look just to the right of one of your recent posts.

Language / Polish Swear Words [1242]


Is that pala or pała?

Language / Polish Swear Words [1242]


I've got a workmate I'm going to insult tomorrow, and I have to get it right!

Language / Polish Swear Words [1242]


I've told him before that some things are small!
:->

Glowa, while you're here, I never got an answer to this one!


If you don't mind!

Language / Polish Swear Words [1242]

Thanks. We've said 'po jebane' quite a lot, usually referring to my fellow non-Poles.

Language / Polish Swear Words [1242]


I realised it had an f- word in there and somehow meant madman/nutter/mentalist!

Language / Polish Swear Words [1242]

I think one or two of my teachers may have used the English equivalent(s) after some of my exams.