Definition
A scandal is an action or event regarded as morally or legally wrong and causing public outrage or censure. It typically involves allegations or instances of wrongdoing, misconduct, or unethical behaviour that attracts public attention and may damage reputations. Scandals can occur across various spheres, including politics, corporations, entertainment, and sports.
Etymology and Origin
The word scandal originates from the Greek skandalon, initially meaning “a trap or snare”, specifically one that causes an enemy to stumble or fall. The term evolved in Late Latin to scandalum, signifying a cause of offence or stumbling block. By the Middle English period, it had taken on its current meaning related to moral outrage, reflecting the idea of an action causing societal stumble or disgrace. The progression of “scandal” from a physical trap to a metaphorical cause of moral stumbling illustrates the dynamic nature of language in capturing human behaviour and social norms.
