quisling
KWIZ-ling
/ˈkwɪzlɪŋ/
A traitor who collaborates with an enemy force occupying their country.
A quisling is not just any traitor; they are specifically a 'puppet' leader who helps an invader rule.
The story behind the word. This is an eponym from Vidkun Quisling, a Norwegian politician who collaborated with the Nazis during WWII and headed a puppet government. The word became a synonym for 'traitor' almost immediately.
Word relationships
- collaborator: Collaborator is a neutral term that can be negative; quisling is always a stinging insult.
- patriot: A patriot defends their country against the very invaders a quisling helps.
Commonly confused with
- traitor: A traitor is anyone who betrays; a quisling is a traitor who helps an occupier.
Collocations
- government of quislings
- labeled a quisling
- quisling regime
Example sentences
- "A vile race of quislings—to use a new word which will carry the scorn of mankind down the centuries—is hired to jaunty to the tune of their German masters." Winston Churchill speaking on the occupation of Europe.
Memory hook
Quisling: He 'Quits' his own 'Ling' (land/people) to help the enemy. The puppet of the invader.
When not to use
Too specific for general betrayal; use only when someone is helping an external enemy occupy or control their own people.
Fun facts
- The word 'quisling' entered the English language via a London Times editorial just days after the invasion of Norway.
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