Migrancki Portal Wiedzy

Gentlemen and boors

‘Pan’ (sir) - is a Polish polite expression used in case of men who are not members of your family or friends; it is mostly used in combination with name, surname or title.  In the past, this term indicated noble men, though, not unnecessarily wealthy (wealthy people were not in majority among Polish noblemen.  Most of them did not own any considerable properties, and majority was simply poor or slightly affluent). Thus, using ‘Pan’ and ‘Pani’ expressions signifies respect and equal status of citizens (term citizens was used with reference to noblemen) as ‘a nobleman at a farm equal to a governor’ („szlachcic na zagrodzie równy wojewodzie”- Polish saying).  ’Pani’ (madam) - is an expression used in reference to a woman who you are not in close relationship (similar as in case of men).

‘Cham’ (boor) is an offensive term referring to a ill-mannered, crude people. In the past, this term was used in reference to someone from lower social class like peasant.  The term originates from the name of biblical character Ham (pol. Cham) who sneered at nudity of his father, Noah.  A boorish, crude woman is called ‘chamica’ or ‘chamka’.

Reference: Polish Dictionary, PWN, Warsaw, 1983

„GENTLEMAN” AND „LADY” IN MODERN POLISH

1. elegant man
2. refined woman
3. groom
4. to be on familiar terms with somebody
5. a person who decides and whose attitude is non-negotiable (e.g. strict father in a family)
6. The Lady of Ancient Egypt (Cleopatra)
7. The Lady of The British Empire (Queen Elizabeth I)
8. be the ruler of the situation (when someone’s future depends on that person)
9. Teacher (woman)
10. The God

„CHAM” IN MODERN POLISH

1. absolute boor (someone acting bluntly, without hiding real intentions, often using violence etc)
2. brute jokes
3. brute seed (in the past, about a peasant)

„PANI” I „PAN” WE WSPÓŁCZESNEJ POLSZCZYŹNIE

1. elegancki pan (elegancki mężczyzna)
2. wielka pani (wytworna, szykowna kobieta)
3. pan młody (mężczyzna w dniu swojego ślubu)
4. być z kimś za pan brat (być z kimś w zażyłych, poufałych stosunkach)
5. pan i władca (o kimś, kto decyduje np. srogi ojciec w rodzinie)

1. Pani starożytnego Egiptu (o Kleopatrze)
2. Pani Imperium Brytyjskiego (o królowej Elżbiecie I)
3. być panem sytuacji (gdy ktoś zależy od kogoś)
4. Pani zorganizowała wycieczkę (o nauczycielce w szkole)
5. pan Bóg (o stwórcy świata)

„CHAM” WE WSPÓŁCZESNEJ POLSZCZYŹNIE

1. skończony cham (robić coś „na chama”, coś bez osłonek, bez ukrywania prawdziwej intencji, często z przemocą, użyciem siły itp.)
2. chamskie żarty
3. chamskie nasienie (dawniej o chłopie)

Polish complaining

There is a stereotype of a grumpy Pole. One well known joke says:  someone asked one healthy and affluent Pole how he was doing. He says that he has a lot of problems, has no money and numerous illnesses that doctor diagnosed.   The same question is asked to the American who is staying in a hospital. He answers: I'm fine.

Poles, alike as all nations, are said to have some national traits which can be true or not.  One should verify if stereotypes are real.