succès de scandale

[ syk-seduh skahn-dal ]

noun

, French.

1. success won by reason of topical, usually scandalous, subject matter rather than by merit and critical respect.

succès de scandale

/ syksɛ də skɑ̃dal /

noun

1. success of a play, book, etc, because of notoriety or its scandalous character

Word History and Origins

Origin of succès de scandale¹

literally: success of scandal