skandalo

Skandalo is a term used in various languages to denote a public controversy or scandal. It is related to forms such as scandalo in Italian and escándalo in Spanish, and in some contexts appears as a direct loanword with the spelling skandalo. The exact usage and pronunciation vary by language and region.

Etymology and cognates: The word traces to the Latin scandālū or scandālum, meaning an offense or stumbling block, which in turn derives from the Greek skandalon. The sense expanded to refer to public moral offense and, later, to notable events that provoke widespread condemnation. Across Romance languages, cognates include scandalo (Italian), escándalo (Spanish), scandale (French), and escândalo (Portuguese). In some languages, skandalo is adopted as a loanword from these forms.

Usage and nuance: In journalism, media, and everyday speech, skandalo is used to label or discuss controversies involving politics, business, entertainment, or public figures. It can function as a noun or as part of a compound phrase in headlines, and it often carries negative connotations, signaling public disapproval or moral scrutiny. The term can reflect cultural attitudes toward accountability, sensationalism, and the role of media in shaping public perception.

See also: Scandal; Public controversy; Media ethics.