Game - guess Polish idioms/sayings in direct English translation

I've heard both versions of the etymology of the saying (though my history teachee mentioned just but the previous) but if we're to translate it into English, why mix them?

@Chemikiem
Well done :)

Thanks for the history lesson Iron, I know who to ask for Polish history help now :) I certainly didn't know the background behind the saying.


Aha, very interesting. That idiom has obviously been around for a long time, is it in common use today?


Thanks Kaprys :)

OK, let`s not mix them.:):)


Hey, it doesn`t mean that I don`t think well done just because I don`t write it - I think it but in silence. :)


Hard to say how common it is, but certainly it hasn`t been forgotten and people use it.

Many years ago my sister gave me a dictionary of Polish vulgarisms for birthday and I read it all but today remember only one saying: pr...k (penis) struck into baubles and there will be no Christmas gifts.

I'll thank you for that silent thought then:)


I've heard many idioms, but never that one.


Haha ,this is the next one and not a joke as I thought isn't it?

Come on, I never joke in my serious threads. This one is dead serious.

Ok, I'll put on my serious face and behave seriously ;) I need time. That idiom is conjuring up visions I would rather not think about about.......

Before I forget - mafketis mentioned hare. I have seen rabbit twice within 2 days in fora`s comments. It is a tricky one because it barely refers to an animal. It is used about males with pejorative meaning. Also, it is usually accompanied by certain context words which I won`t reveal yet to make it more difficult.

Is this similar in meaning to ' after the birds ' ? Too late, after the fact, nothing can be done about a situation?

Yes, but.... :):) . It means nothing can be done but it puts stress on the feeling of failure and disappointment because sth went completely wrong, and not that sth is too late.

Ok, thanks for elaborating.
I can only think of something obvious with the rabbit idiom, that men f*ck like rabbits, but it won't be that, it's too simple.

And women f*ck like minks.

lol JR,sorry couldnt resist.

Well it is a Polish idioms isn't it ?
What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

Read post # 397. The idiom is referring specifically to men, or are you just trying to trash this thread?

Nope, too easy.


Now it is time. The rabbit is mostly accompanied by the relatives or the family of the rabbit.

Before I forget - what object do you call a little monkey/monkling?

I'm not sure how well I'll explain this but I'll give it a go. I think the 'rabbit' is someone who thinks he's more important than he actually is, and the 'relatives' and 'family' of his, are the hangers-on, the sycophants or brown nosers he surrounds himself with. His adoring public, if you like. I could be barking up the wrong tree completely, but that's my best guess. Reminds me of a couple of people on PF, but I best not say any more ;)


Small bottle of vodka?

I'm thinking maybe the rabbit is the groom....


Small 100 or 200 ml (both or just 200?) bottle of any alcohol...

How would that be pejorative about males though? Or are you talking grooming and not weddings............


Ok thanks, not sure why I just thought it was vodka.

Rabbit as królik?
I can't think of anything. ...

You are a true gentleman. :)


Królik but not as an animal, namely who?


This part is correct, the rest not.
As for a monkling,
yes, it refers to a small bottle of vodka because they don`t produce wine or beer in such small ones.

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ólól

is a dimunitive of król? little king? a big fish in a small pond?

Yes, maf! Little king! What is the context of saying relatives or family of the little king?

@pawian

hangers on? horse holders? crew? posse?

(I've never heard monkling before, it sounds more like an apprentice monk than a small money....)

No, rememebr we are talking about a little king (mostly fake one), not big real one. :)


Don`t worry, me neither, but what is our imagination for? :):)

Maf, we are playing in this thread, so don`t be so stiff. :):) Besides, I also said little monkey for better understanding.

People that will do his bidding? Minions?

Thanks, Chemikiem and maf for that abundant set of vocabulary but the saying is mostly used to point to corruption while employing people - the official term is nepotism. The rabbit/little king chooses his own kin, usually lacking proper qualifications or qualities, for positions in his company, and really qualified guys are turned down.

Aha........good one. Seems so obvious once you know what it is! In the UK, a term that is more or less equivalent is 'jobs for the boys'.

A variant is a person who hires incompetent people (who know they owe their position to their connections and loyalty and are not a threat)

Ahhhh - with friends it makes more sense.

But it does come from 'rabbit' as in Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh.

What makes you think so? I thought it`s a mockery of the word king.


This thought reminded me of another idiom which may also be misleading.

to screw sb in. Of course, no vulgar meanings are involved. But it is a negative activity, nevertheless.