quisling
UK: ˈkwɪzlɪŋ | US: ˈkwɪzlɪŋ
n. a traitor who collaborates with an occupying enemy force
The term originates from Vidkun Quisling, the Norwegian military officer and politician who collaborated with Nazi Germany during World War II. His surname became synonymous with betrayal after he aided the Nazi occupation of Norway. The word evolved into a generic term for traitors, particularly those aiding an invading force. Unlike typical morpheme-based words, "quisling" is an eponym—derived entirely from a proper name without separable prefixes/roots/suffixes.
The resistance fighters despised the quisling who revealed their hideout to the enemy.
History remembers him as a quisling for surrendering his country’s secrets.
During the war, quislings were often executed after liberation.
The term "quisling" is rarely used today but remains a potent insult.
Propaganda posters depicted the collaborator as a grinning quisling.