- The word “slander” is a fairly old word and represents many different things. The earliest known usage of slander in English dates from the 13th century. The meaning of the word “slander” can be changed based on the category that it is placed in.
In it's most common use, “slander”
can mean to damage a reputation, will it be through rumours or
general comment meant to harm or injure someone's reputation. Or to
pose an ignorant statement towards that person.
During the 1530's religion was the
most prominent use of “slander.” Back then, “slander” was the
discredit of a religious person, conduct, or of a person who is
looked up to. Also, “slander” can be something that hinders the
reception of faith or obedience to a god. It can be an occasion of
unbelief or of moral lapse. In addition, scandal can be the
difficulty in seeing Jesus as the universal saviour.
In
common law, the word “defamation” is used to represent “slander.”
Defamation is the general term used internationally and is used when
it is not necessary to distinguish between “slander and “libel.”
The primary difference between those words is that they differ in the
from in which the offending material is stated. If it is stated with
spoken words or sounds, sign
language, gestures and the like, then this is slander.
In terms of someone's social stance
“slander” was most popular in the 1630's. It was a discreditable
circumstance, event or condition of something. Also, it can be the
way that someone acts towards their class, country, position, and so
on. As well, “slander” is to offend someone's moral feeling or
sense of decency. In addition, “slander” can mean talking about
someone without their knowledge of it and without proof that what you
are saying actually occurred to said person. Also known as malicious
gossip. This “slander” can be used as a form of ruining
someone's social stance on purpose. A “slanderous” person can
also be a person who is a discredit, disgrace, or scandal to some
body or set of persons.
In law, “slander” is much more
formal and can be used to take legal action. It is any publication
that concerns another person and that is harming to said people.
Also, an irrelevant or indecent publication of something derogatory
towards the court. “slander” can also be an unpleasant notoriety,
which in turn can be exaggerated by an occurrence of malicious
gossip. Many people have sued others for slander. For example, a
celebrity can sue the press for slander if they release certain
information about the celebrity.
The etymology of “slander” comes
from the french “esclandre”, which came from the Old French
“escandre”. “Escandre” comes from the Latin “scandalum”
which means a “cause of offence or stumbling.” Scandalum comes
from the Proto-Indo-European root
“skand.” “Slander”
also comes from the greek “skandalon” meaning "a trap or
snare laid for an enemy." The
New Testament stated “slander” as being a
“trap with a springing
device.” In the 1590's the most popular definition of “slander
was “malicious gossip.”
“Slander” is a one of those words
with several different meaning based on the context of the usage.
It's meaning has been changed over time, and will probably continue
to change as we move along.
1. Online Etymology Dictionary, “term”,
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