fifth column etymology

“Fifth Column” is a euphemism for “the enemy within!” “Within” means mostly clandestine, covert, under wraps. In a radio address, one of the other generals (Emilio Mola) said that there was a 'fifth column' inside Madrid, which would rise up against the Loyalists when Franco's fascist insurgents arrived. It also was the name of a useful device, "wheel-plate or circle iron of a carriage" placed on the forward axle for support and to facilitate turning (1825). Fifth column, clandestine group or faction of subversive agents who attempt to undermine a nation’s solidarity by any means at their disposal. Mola predicted Madrid would fall as four columns of rebel troops approaching the city were joined by another hidden column of sympathizers within it. Etymology . Explicit mention of the hidden troops as the 'fifth column' was reported in the Fitchburg Sentinel newspaper, on 14th October 1936: "Out of hiding came a few of the phantom 'fifth column' - the fascist auxiliary force dreaded by the loyalists." Early in the Spanish Civil War, Nationalist general Francisco Franco attacked the Republican capital in Madrid. 3:26.

The term has migrated in use over time and is now sometimes used more generally, to mean traitor or spy. The term fifth column, which translates Spanish quinta columna, denotes the enemy’s supporters in one’s own country, or a body of one’s supporters in an attacked or occupied foreign country, hence, more generally, any group of hostile or subversive infiltrators, any enemy in … by Beau of the Fifth Column. fifth-column | definition: coming next after the twenty-fourth in position | synonyms: 25th| antonyms: cardinal, x, xcvi See more. Definitions of fifth columnfrom WordNet. In an October 1936 article in The New York Times, William Carney described those secret rebel supporters as the "fifth … fifth column (plural fifth columns) From a 1936 radio address by Spanish Nationalist general Emilio Mola, in which he spoke of four of his army columns moving on Madrid and a quinta columna consisting of his militant supporters within the capital, intent on undermining the Republican government from within. Let's talk about the Black Hills, Rushmore, and Trump.... by Beau of the Fifth Column. Examples of fifth column in a sentence, how to use it. 6:52. The term is conventionally credited to Emilio Mola Vidal, a Nationalist general during the Spanish Civil War (1936–39). Etymology . 55 examples: Next, the first four columns are covered and participants practice with the… During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), Francisco Franco marched on Madrid, a Republican stronghold, with four columns of troops. History. Fifth Avenue (in New York City) has been used figuratively for "elegance, taste" at least since 1858. fifth column(n. a subversive group that supports the enemy and engages in espionage or sabotage; an enemy in your midst; Synonyms: Trojan horse.

[citation needed]Soon after forming, the group became involved in the … Fromwordnet.princeton.edu.