The closest word I can think of is a sycophant but that’s too strong word and not exactly what I’m looking for. The word I’m thinking of has negative connotations and it’s for someone who is friends with different groups but only at a superficial level and isn’t necessarily honest about who all they’re friends with. This person would be seen as untrustworthy.

  • Pat12@lemmy.worldOP
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    4 months ago

    Hmm I think it’s fine if someone is a social butterfly, they don’t have bad intentions etc. I am talking about someone who seems like you can trust them but actually they have other loyalties, I live in a place where people get arrested for supporting democracy for example

    • wahming@monyet.cc
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      3 months ago

      If we’re talking where consequences of their friendships get you thrown in jail, traitor is a pretty good word.

    • reinei@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      I heard them called “bats” because they flap around between different groups and are associated with darkness thus “shady”!

      • Pat12@lemmy.worldOP
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        3 months ago

        I heard them called “bats” because they flap around between different groups and are associated with darkness thus “shady”!

        hahahahah

    • credo@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      What about perfidious gadabout?

      I think your focus is on the disloyalty, but really there are two aspects of your description that make it difficult to find s single word which fits well. I’m also thinking the individual isn’t necessarily disloyal, but rather loyal to an unseen cause. E.g., disingenuous. If the person is a plant, then “mole” comes to mind.