scandal English · revision 7069

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1225|origins=grc σκάνδαλον}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈskændəl/ ''(UK)''; /ˈskændəl/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|scandale]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from Late Latin [[m|la-lat|scandalum|t=cause of offence, stumbling block, temptation]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from Greek [[m|grc|σκάνδαλον|tr=skándalon|t=a stumbling block; a snare laid for an enemy]], used in the Septuagint for a Hebrew word meaning a noose or snare.^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) It is perhaps from PIE [[ine-pro|*skand-|t=to leap, climb]], as a sprung trap, though Beekes is sceptical.^(Etymonline) [[slander|alt=Slander]] is another form of the same word.^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Discredit to religion caused by the conduct of a religious person: before 1225 in the OED; scandle in the ''Ancrene Riwle'' (about 1200), from Old French escandle.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Barnhart dates the modern borrowing to 1581, and Etymonline thinks the modern word likely a new borrowing.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Word Origins notes that scandal was originally restricted to the Church.^(Cresswell 2021) Damage to reputation is from the 1580s (1590 in the OED).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Malicious gossip, and a shameful event or condition, are from the 1590s,^(Etymonline) and a person whose conduct is a disgrace by the 1630s.^(Etymonline) The ''scandal sheet'', a sensational newspaper, is a later formation.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1225 – discredit to religion.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1581 – the modern borrowing.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1590 – damage to reputation.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1590s – malicious gossip.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1630s – a disgraceful person.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An action or event regarded as morally or legally wrong and causing general public outrage.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Outrage or anger caused by such an action.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Malicious gossip; [[slander]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A situation regarded as shocking or deplorable: ''it's a scandal that''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[scandalise]]

+ * [[scandalize]]

+ * [[scandalmonger]]

+ * [[scandalous]]

+ * [[scandal sheet]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[slander]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}