Take a Gander at this Goose

I

n years past, we have offered suckling pig and duckling for our Yuletide recipes. This year we turn to the beloved goose. 

We Russians are almost as fond of goose-related proverbs and idioms as we are of roast goose with apples for Christmas. For instance, there is gus’ svin’ye ne tovarishch. Often translated as “oil and water don’t mix,” this saying literally means that “A goose is not a good companion for a sow.” The proverb means that people of different social backgrounds, characters, or habits do not easily mix.