character
Old Norse
Loki
The trickster god — clever, shape-shifting, untrustworthy.
Origin
Companion and frequent betrayer of the Aesir gods. He helps and harms in equal measure, fathers monsters, and ultimately leads the giants against the gods at Ragnarök. Marvel's portrayal cemented him as the archetypal charming villain.
Modern usage
Used for any charismatic mischief-maker or two-faced ally. 'Going full Loki' suggests betrayal dressed up as wit.
Tags
trickster
deception
Related
character
Norse Mythology
Thor
The thunder god — red-bearded, hot-tempered, swinging the hammer Mjölnir.
story
Norse Mythology
Ragnarök
The Norse end of the world — the gods fall in a final battle, and the world burns and is reborn.
character
Norse Mythology
Odin
The one-eyed All-Father — god of wisdom, war, and poetry.