Eh, not really. „Szczerek” is not a modern polish word. The only known use of this word is for some random river in Ukraine, which I’m certain most people don’t even know that (and I don’t blame).
Also, I don’t think it came from „Szczurek”. Those words sound similar, but that’s just it. It’s like saying that „morze” (which means „sea”) and „może” (which means „maybe”) are the same, which they are when you say them without any context, but they actually mean completely different thing.
It’s more like this. Polish surnames usually originated from first names, nicknames connected with personality, appearance, behavior, place names or occupation. Based on that, we have two possible origins:
From the adjective „szczery” (which means „honest”). It may have been used to describe “a sincere, straightforward person.”
From Old Polish or East Slavic nickname. Like „szczer-” was associated with broken tooth or baring teeth. So „Szczerek” could be used as a nickname for the person with such characteristics.
Either way, I find it even better when you think about it. Someone sincere doing such thing is quite… something.
…anyway, thanks for coming to my TED talk. Didn’t expect to write as much.
Wouldn't be surprised if he legally had his name changed from Szczurek to Szczerek. Which only brings to mind the scene from "Boys don't cry" and the Psikutas confusion.
With a surname like that (Szczurek) it's eerily fitting that he is a scavenger stealing whatever he can get his hands on.
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u/Right-Smoke8132 8d ago edited 8d ago
Hey, Polish guy here.
Eh, not really. „Szczerek” is not a modern polish word. The only known use of this word is for some random river in Ukraine, which I’m certain most people don’t even know that (and I don’t blame).
Also, I don’t think it came from „Szczurek”. Those words sound similar, but that’s just it. It’s like saying that „morze” (which means „sea”) and „może” (which means „maybe”) are the same, which they are when you say them without any context, but they actually mean completely different thing.
It’s more like this. Polish surnames usually originated from first names, nicknames connected with personality, appearance, behavior, place names or occupation. Based on that, we have two possible origins:
From the adjective „szczery” (which means „honest”). It may have been used to describe “a sincere, straightforward person.”
From Old Polish or East Slavic nickname. Like „szczer-” was associated with broken tooth or baring teeth. So „Szczerek” could be used as a nickname for the person with such characteristics.
Either way, I find it even better when you think about it. Someone sincere doing such thing is quite… something.
…anyway, thanks for coming to my TED talk. Didn’t expect to write as much.