fiascos
/fiˈæskoʊz/
Definition
Complete, humiliating failures or situations that result in disaster, often marked by public embarrassment.
Etymology
Derived from the Italian word 'fiasco', meaning 'bottle'. It entered English in the mid-19th century, likely through theatrical slang, where the phrase 'far fiasco' (to make a bottle) evolved to mean 'to fail completely in a performance'.
In the news
The word refers to the potential for future Olympic competitions to be ruined by systemic cheating, echoing previous doping scandals where Russian athletes were later stripped of their medals. It highlights concerns that allowing Russian athletes back could lead to similar disastrous outcomes for the integrity of the Games.
The IOC clears the way for Russian athletes to return to Olympic competition
Read the full article ↗NPR