Frenemy

As Frenemy , or more rarely Frienemy , is a Portmanteau word from English friend and English enemy , in German Freundfeind or false friend , and describes a) a person who pretends to be a friend, or b) a rival to whom one is based on Circumstances are forced to maintain a friendly relationship.

In the English language, the first occurrence was noted as early as 1953. In 2008 the word was also added to the Oxford English Dictionary .

In the German language the ironic use of party friends has a comparable meaning.

The word has gained new relevance since the international play of forces has become significantly more confusing after the collapse of the Eastern Bloc, the rise of China and the US under Trump's departure from its ally Europe.

Individual evidence

^ Winchell, Walter "Howz about calling the Russians our Frienemies?", Nevada State Journal, May 19, 1953.
↑ Oxford English Dictionary online, December 2008.
↑ Proof of this is Angela Merkel's interview with the Financial Times from January 15, 2020 Angela Merkel warns EU: 'Brexit is a wake-up call' (accessed on January 23, 2020), even if the word Frenemy is not mentioned there, and in the treatment by the ZEIT from January 23, 2020 In a world full of "Frenemies" (accessed on January 23, 2020)

[ww-1] Winchell, Walter "Howz about calling the Russians our Frienemies?", Nevada State Journal, May 19, 1953.

[OED-2] Oxford English Dictionary online, December 2008.

[3] Proof of this is Angela Merkel's interview with the Financial Times from January 15, 2020 Angela Merkel warns EU: 'Brexit is a wake-up call' (accessed on January 23, 2020), even if the word Frenemy is not mentioned there, and in the treatment by the ZEIT from January 23, 2020 In a world full of "Frenemies" (accessed on January 23, 2020)