What Does “Infamous” Mean?
The adjective infamous comes from the Latin infamem, which translates to “evil, infamous, or wicked”. It is used to describe a person, an event, a thing, or a place which is known and disapproved of for its past wrongdoings or bad reputation. In other words, when something is described as being infamous, it is synonymous with being notorious, scandalous, and generally seen as unacceptable or disreputable.
The Infamous Person
The infamous person is one who is widely known for their bad behavior, unethical acts, and in some cases, even criminal activities. Infamous people have a reputation for crossing moral lines and often get into trouble with the law. They may have committed just one huge, scandalous act which has overshadowed the rest of their life, or it could be the culmination of many small, but still immoral, actions. Examples of infamous people range from Hitler to Ted Bundy, Bernie Madoff to John Gotti.
The Infamous Event
An infamous event is one which has gained significant notoriety due to the level of scandal, immorality, and/or wrongdoings associated with it. These events range from the crimes and wars perpetuated by dictators such as Hitler to major environmental catastrophes, like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Events can also be infamous due to the significant number of people affected by them. The assassination of President Abraham Lincoln is perhaps one of most infamous events in American history.
The Infamous Thing or Place
Some things and places can become famous for negative reasons, as can anything that is linked to something scandalous or immoral. For example, the infamous thing could be a drug like crack cocaine. It can also be a place, such as the former Yugoslavia which became notorious due to the atrocities committed during the Yugoslavian civil wars.
In conclusion, when someone or something is described as infamous, it means that they have a history of wrongdoings or a bad reputation. This can be in relation to an individual, an event, a thing, or a place. Whatever the case may be, the association with the world infamous is usually one that carries a negative connotation.