'Q' is for 'Quisling'

 

        quisling /kwĭz′lĭng/

1.   A traitor who serves as the puppet of the enemy occupying his or her country.

2.   A traitor who collaborates with the enemy.

3.   Someone who collaborates with an enemy occupying force.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition • More at Wordnik

 

    Basically, a traitor.  On that, I think we can all agree.  But, from where did this word originate, you may ask.  Never fear, I say (well, “write.”  You get the picture.).  The A-Z Challenge has provided me the perfect word for ‘Q’ and I will provide much more information than you would normally prefer.

       So here we go…

       “Quisling” was a term used in the Scandinavian and English languages to describe a citizen or politician who collaborates with an enemy occupying force.  Wait.  The definition above already said that.

     Sorry.

     Vidkun Quisling (1887-1945) was a Norwegian politician who headed up a domestic Nazi organization during the lead up to, and into, World War II.  It was called the "We 💓Nazis" Party.

    Take that, definition.

"Whew!  Sure bet on the wrong horse, didn't I?"

     The term “Quisling” was first used by the Norwegian Labour Party head, Oscar Torp (who I presume was a good guy) in a January 2, 1933 newspaper interview to describe Vidkun and his followers.

"I torpEDOED him.  Get it?"

     As the Germans rampaged through Europe, Quisling led an unsuccessful coup in 1940 in an attempt to seize power and force Norway to halt its resistance to the invading Germans.  Of course, the Wehrmacht ended up occupying Norway anyway in May, 1940.  Quisling just wished they would have just laid down and play dead.  You know, instead of actually being dead.

     Even though his coup failed, Quisling played a role as a crucial stooge for the Nazis until Norway was liberated in 1945.  Adolph Hitler treasured the relationship he had with Quisling, especially cherishing the gift of salted herring and brownshirt Hummel figurines Vidkun had sent him.

"Und der 'Norwegians Have Boners For Adolph' tee shirts?  Wunderbar!"

    As the end approached for the Third Reich, the German Army found itself pushed back to Berlin and eventual surrender.  As part of that continued effort, Norway was liberated in May, 1945.

    Quisling then turned himself in to Allied Forces.  He was tried for his crimes and found guilty.  Sentenced to death, he was executed by firing squad on October 24, 1945.

"Turning myself in.  Probably wasn't a smart move."

    The term “Quisling” became synonymous with “Benedict Arnold” in the cultural zeitgeist (NOTE: “zeitgeist” is a German word.  Pretty ironic that.) and was used in the movies, a Peanuts comic strip, and even a Porky Pig cartoon.

I think the turkey called Daffy Duck a 'quisling.'
Maybe.  Could be.  I don't know.  Hey, it was in 1944.

     You don’t hear it so much nowadays, though, as people prefer to use the term “traitor” much more often.  Still “quisling” once held sway to describe a filthy piece of filth.

     Today, we just call them "Hamas."