Qq: Quisling

Noun

1.

quisling - someone who collaborates with an enemy occupying force collaborationist, collaborator traitor, treasonist - someone who betrays his country by committing treason

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

n.

n English and some European languages, the term "quisling" has become a synonym for traitor, particularly one who collaborates with invaders. The term was coined by the British newspaper The Times in its leader of 15 April, 1940, entitled "Quislings everywhere." The editorial asserted,

To writers, the word Quisling is a gift from the gods. If they had been ordered to invent a new word for traitor... they could hardly have hit upon a more brilliant combination of letters. Actually it contrives to suggest something at once slippery and tortuous.^[12]

The noun has survived; for a while during and after the war, the back-formed verb "to quisle" (pronounced "quizzle") was used. One who was "quisling" was committing treason.^[13]

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[After Vidkun Quisling (1887-1945), head of Norway's government during the Nazi occupation (1940-1945).]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.