succès de scandale

noun

suc·​cès de scan·​dale sək-ˌsā-də-skäⁿ-ˈdäl 

(ˌ)sük-

: something (such as a work of art) that wins popularity or notoriety because of its scandalous nature

also : the reception accorded such a piece

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, success of scandal

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above