scurrilous | Dictionary Bee

What Makes This Word Tick

"Scurrilous" is a spicy adjective that loves to stir the pot! It describes something scandalously offensive or obscene, particularly language or material meant to defame or hurt. Think of it as the linguistic equivalent of throwing a verbal pie in someone's face—perhaps entertaining to some, but definitely aiming to leave a mark (or at least, a stain).

If Scurrilous Were a Person…

Scurrilous would be that irksome neighbor who knows all the juicy gossip and isn’t shy about sharing it, whether or not it's true. They'd be the kind to gleefully spread rumors at the community bingo night, with a sly wink to those who enjoy the spectacle.

How This Word Has Changed Over Time

In its younger days, "scurrilous" was often used to describe loudmouthed jesters and rowdy crowds. Over time, it made its way into more literary circles, where it became a neat descriptor for libelous prose and vitriolic speeches. Today, while we might not use it in everyday conversations, its essence remains in critiquing particularly vicious or false rhetoric.

Old Sayings and Proverbs That Use Scurrilous

While there may not be old-timey maxims featuring this exact word, the spirit of scurrilous lives in sayings like "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," which hints at the kind of hurtful machinations the word is intimately familiar with.

Surprising Facts About Scurrilous

Did you know "scurrilous" is derived from the Late Latin word "scurrilis," which means "buffoon-like"? It’s fitting, since the term often describes slander that is as rude as it is ridiculous. Ironically, those who engage in scurrilous behavior today aren’t always looking for a laugh—they're often quite serious.

Out and About With This Word

You might encounter "scurrilous" in the wild on TV courtroom dramas—often during that heated part of the trial when the lawyer accuses the opposition of resorting to character assassination. It doesn’t pop up in gentle family rom-coms, that’s for sure!

Pop Culture Moments Where Scurrilous Was Used

Think of the tabloids that loved to skewer celebrities in the early 2000s—scurrilous headlines were all the rage! Even TV's courtroom dynamos have been known to throw shade with a well-placed use of "scurrilous" during dramatic cross-examinations.

The Word in Literature

"Scurrilous" finds a cozy home in classic novels full of intrigue and betrayal—picture a Dickensian villain, scandalizing with every sentence. It's a word that's as juicy on the page as a juicy slice of scandalous pie!

Moments in History with Scurrilous

During the French Revolution, pamphleteers hurled scurrilous accusations at the aristocracy in a bid to undermine authority. The word captures the chaos of those times, and the venomous pamphlets that fueled public outrage.

This Word Around the World

In Italian, a similar word, "scurrile," captures the same flamboyance in defamation. Meanwhile, in French, "scurrile" takes a slightly more humorous tone, hinting at a jokester trying to make trouble, often fruitlessly.

Where Does It Come From?

"Scurrilous" stepped onto the stage in the late 16th century, inherited from the Latin "scurra," meaning “buffoon.” Back then, it was a label for jesters whose jibes were more malicious than merry.

How People Misuse This Word

A common misuse is conflating "scurrilous" with merely harsh or critical. However, there's an extra dose of nastiness and falsehood that must be present for a comment to be truly scurrilous.

Words It’s Often Confused With

Slanderous: Both involve false statements, but "slanderous" explicitly refers to spoken defamation.
Libelous: Similar legal implications, but "libelous" pertains to written defamation.
Obscene: While both can offend, "obscene" is more about morality and less about defamation.