Scandal
/ˈskændl/noun
An action or event regarded as morally or legally wrong and causing public outrage or shock.
Did you know?In ancient Greece, 'scandalon' referred to a trap for catching animals, symbolizing how gossip ensnares reputations.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
σκάνδαλον
“A trap or stumbling block, derived from actions that cause a moral fall.”
Latin
Latin
scandalum
“A cause for offense or stumbling, often in a moral context.”
Old French
Old French
escandale
“A public disgrace or offense, evolving the meaning into a social context.”
Middle English
Middle English
scandal
“A term for public disgrace or shame, influenced by the Old French form.”
Modern English
English
scandal
“Retained the meaning of public outrage or disgrace, often linked to moral failings.”
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