1581, "discredit caused by irreligious conduct," from M.Fr.
scandale, from L.L.
scandalum "cause for offense, stumbling block, temptation," from Gk.
skandalon "stumbling block," originally "trap with a springing device," from PIE
*skand- "jump" (see
scan; cf. also
slander). Attested from c.1225, but the modern word is a reborrowing. Meaning "malicious gossip" is from 1596; sense of "person whose conduct is a disgrace" is from 1634.
Scandalize (1489) originally meant "make a public scandal of;" sense of "shock by doing something improper" first recorded 1647.
Scandal sheet "sensational newspaper" is from 1939.