Language /
Polish sayings [237]
There is apparently a Kashubski phrase which translates ruffly as "having a snake in your pocket", which means being tight, cautious with cash.
Well my colleague at school was introducing me to his student earlier this year. And he did so in Polish and English and for some unknown reason this phrase was brought into conversation, which ran somehting like this.
(infront of bemused class spanning various age groups, sexes and limited English)
Teacher: So do you have a snake n your pocket?
Me:..er...what do you mean? er...I don't think this is an appropriate topic....
Teacher (insisting): No DO YOU HAVE A SNAKE IN YOUR POCKET.
Me: er..um...listen in English if you asked someone "do you have a snake in your pocket", it would have homosexual conitations from one man to another and the word "snake" is often the slang for the word penis.
Teacher: ah..oh..I see ..um because here it means being mean,you known ,..um tighfisted...
Me: Shall we move on from this subject...
Teacher: er..yeah good idea.
It was exceptionally hard to keep a straight face and the student must have thought we looked like a comedy duo. Great way to be introduced don't you think.
