| English | Russian |
| it would've been nice to be in paradise, but many a sin doesn't let me in! | и рад бы в рай, да грехи не пускают |
| it would've been nice to be in paradise, but many a sin doesn't let me in! | рад бы в рай, да грехи не пускают |
| that's a nice how-d'ye-do or how-de-do! | вот тебе, бабушка, и Юрьев день (said to show one's surprise, pain, disappointment when one's hopes, expectations have not come true. the code of laws of 1497 allowed Russian peasants to move from one landlord to another once a year during a week before and a week after st. yuri's day, i. e., the 26th of november, old style. the limited freedom was banned in 1580 -1590, and st. yuri's day entered the folklore as a symbol of disappointment) |