Stockholm

Definition

To suffer from Stockholm syndrome; to form an emotional bond or identification with one's captor or oppressor, also, to form such a bond with one's victim.

Etymology

From Swedish Stockholm, compound of stock (“log”) + holme (“islet”), possibly referring to logs put outside of the Stockholm shores to prevent ships from invading.

Example Sentences

• "A negotiator must never Stockholm with hostages."
• "Police say Stockholming is good, because the offender also identifies with the hostage, and it's much easier to hurt someone you don't know than someone you do."
• "There's no need for any kind of racist opposition because we are now Stockholmed to the point where we will begin to oppress ourselves if we're not careful ” ( “ The Past is Prologue , ” 25 ) ."