E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Scandal
means properly a pitfall or snare laid for an enemy; hence a stumbling-block, and morally an aspersion. (Greek, skan’dalon.)
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“We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a [scandal].”—1 Cor. i. 23.
The Hill of Scandal. So Milton calls the Mount of Olives, because King Solomon built thereon “an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab; and for Moloch, the abomination of the children of Ammon” (1 Kings xi. 7).
