https://300polityka.pl/live/2025/02/10/sikorski-frajerstwo-wobec-usa-mnie-upokarza-jako-polaka-opozycja-powinna-sie-zdecydowac-czy-chce-wstac-z-kolan-czy-robic-laske/
Non-speakers of Polish and non-native speakers of Polish please note Sikorski's elegant wit and wordplay for which he is universally renowned in the world of diplomacy:
In written Polish, 'robić łaskę' (to do a favour) differs from the slang expression 'robić laskę' (to give a blowjob) only by the diagonal bar diacritic on the L character. The diagonal bar transforms the written character L to Ł (L with stroke), which indicates a velarized consonant pronounciation of L (or 'dark L'). The symbol in the International Phonetic Alphabet that represents the sound written with Ł is ⟨w⟩, Ł is pronounced like 'w' in the English word 'wet' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%81#References)
Substitution of 'robić ŁASKĘ' for the intended 'robić LASKĘ' provides plausible deniability of vulgar sexualised insult in both spoken and written Polish, due to the minuscule differences only in the Polish pronounciation between 'łaskę' and 'laskę' and similarly minuscule difference in the appearance of written characters 'L' and 'Ł'.
Sikorski's words: "Opozycja powinnia się zdecydować, czy chce wstać z kolan, czy robić ŁASKĘ" (Opposition should decide whether they want to get up from their knees or do FAVORS") are a classic double entendre intended to offend, but protected by plausible deniability. The words are just as easily understood as: "Opozycja powinna się zdecydować, czy chcą wstać z kolan, czy robić LASKĘ ("Opposition should decide whether they want to get up from their knees or give blowjobs").
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