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and occupy Norway. Quisling hoped to lead a new Norwegian
government with German support.z As we know, Germany invaded Norway in April 1940. During
this invasion, Quisling asked his fellow Norwegians not to resist;
he then proclaimed himself head of Norway’s new government.
However, Quisling lasted only a week as prime minister. There
was such vehement opposition among Norwegians to Quisling’s
German-supported power grab that even the Germans themselves
withdrew their support.z However, this wasn’t the end for the Norwegian traitor. The
Germans set up a puppet government during their occupation of
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this role, he tried to force-feed National Socialism to Norwegian
churches and schools.z Because of his actions, Quisling became known as a traitor.
According to the OED, it was the London Times, on April 15,
WKDW¿UVWXVHGWKHWHUPquisling as a synonym for “traitor,”
reporting: “There should be unremitting vigilance also against
possible ‘Quislings’ inside the country.” Within a month, quisling
had been used by the great CBS News correspondent Edward R.
Murrow, and it can be found in the wartime writings of Winston
Churchill, George Orwell, and C. S. Lewis.z :K\GLGWKLVSDUWLFXODUZRUGFDWFKRQVRTXLFNO\DQGXQLYHUVDOO\"
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in a combination of factors.
ż For example, the historical context may play a role. In the case
of quisling, the strong reaction of so many people against one
individual certainly contributed to the adoption of the word.ż 7KH VRXQG RI WKH ZRUG PD\ DOVR LQÀXHQFH LWV DGRSWLRQ ,Q
this case, the London Star of July 10, 1940, reported that the
sound of the name Quisling “conveyed all the odious, greasy
wickedness of the man.” The London Times further ventured