The word "scandalous" is spelled with a silent "d" after the "a" and pronounced /ˈskændləs/. This is because the word comes from Old French "scandaleux" and Middle English "scandalus," which both contained a "d" sound. However, over time, the "d" became silent in English pronunciation, but the traditional spelling was retained. This is a common occurrence in the English language, where historical spellings do not always reflect modern pronunciation.
Scandalous is an adjective that describes something morally or ethically offensive, shocking, or disgraceful. It is typically associated with behavior or actions that are considered to be inappropriate, immoral, or scandalous in society. The word is often used to express societal disapproval or indignation towards a particular event, incident, or individual.
When applied to a person, scandalous implies that their behavior or reputation is marked by disgrace or notoriety. It suggests that the individual has engaged in actions that violate social norms, thus attracting public censure or condemnation.
Scandalous can also refer to any act, event, or situation that causes a sensation or uproar due to its shock value or disregard for moral principles. It denotes an extreme level of controversy or sensation, often arousing public interest or curiosity. Such scandals may involve political corruption, extramarital affairs, financial impropriety, or fraudulent behavior.
In summary, scandalous pertains to behavior, actions, or events considered deeply offensive, disgraceful, or shocking in nature. It denotes a violation of social expectations or moral standards, generating public criticism, outrage, or controversy. The term encompasses both individual behavior and broader societal occurrences that attract significant attention due to their scandalous nature.
Shameful; disgraceful to reputation; openly vile or infamous.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "scandalous" has its origins in the late Middle English period, derived from the Old French word "scandaleux" and the late Latin term "scandalosus". These words share the common root "scandalum", which originates from the ancient Greek word "skandalon", meaning "stumbling block" or "cause of offense". The term gradually evolved through various cultural and linguistic influences, ultimately becoming "scandalous" in English.