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Bozia - does such an affectionate term for God exist in other langauges


Polonius3 994 | 12,367
5 Jun 2015 #1
The Polish word Bozia, a feminised diminutive of Bóg (God), is an affectionate term used in Polish with children to convey the reassuring and comforting image of a loving, tender and protective Supreme Being. "Śpij już dzeicinko - Bozia nad tobą czuwa" and similar formulations have been said to little children over the generations untold millions of times.

My quesiton is: does any other known language have such an equivalent. I believe things like Göttchen, Göttlein and Göttli would sound as silly (rather than affectionate) in German as Godling does in English. Or Petit Dieu in French and Diosito in Spanish. What say ye?.

BTW Polish also has the word bożek, but that is strictly a pagan idol.
TheOther 6 | 3,674
5 Jun 2015 #2
Bozia nad tobą czuwa

While God watches over you? I remember something (remotely) similar from an old lullaby by Johannes Brahms which is called "Guten Abend, gute Nacht". One verse goes like "...von Englein bewacht" - protected by little angels. Probably meant to bring the same message across.
OP Polonius3 994 | 12,367
6 Jun 2015 #3
the same message across.

Yes, the being watched over theme is similar but mine was strictly a linguistic query: does any other language have an endearing diminutive of the word God similat to Polish Bozia?
Ziemowit 14 | 4,278
6 Jun 2015 #4
The mountaineers (Górale, Goralenvolk) have an even funnier name for God - Pan Bocek!
gregy741 5 | 1,232
7 Jun 2015 #5
what name do they use for bacon then?
OP Polonius3 994 | 12,367
8 Jun 2015 #6
God - Pan Bocek!

Maybe it was actually Pan Bozek and only sounded like Bocek is rapid speech.


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