Where does the phrase "Scott Free" come from?

Answer 1

Scot-free actually comes from scot, meaning 'an assessment or tax'. This word is a borrowing from Old Norse, perhaps from scot 'contribution' or a related word scattr 'tax; treasure'. It also seems to be related to Old English gescot 'shot', and there is also the possibility of the influence of Old French escot, which was itself borrowed from a Germanic source. Scot is first found in this sense in the early thirteenth century.

Scot-free originally meant 'free from payment of scot', a sense that is now almost totally obsolete, except in historical contexts. By extension, it came to mean 'free from obligation, harm, punishment, or restraint'. (Yes, the idea that a tax is a punishment is a very old one.) Since the word scot on its own is now rare, most people probably interpret scot to be some sort of intensive of free.

Answer 2

Getting off Scott free

Another variation: A scot is a payment or a charge, also an assessment or tax. To get off "scot free" means you get off without paying anything; no assessment, fine or tax. Check "scot" in any good dictionary.

Dr. Shelia M. Kennison wrote: I was under the impression that the phrase "getting off scott free" originated with the "Dredd Scott vs. Illinois" court case in the mid 1800s. Dredd Scott was a slave of a Missouri man who moved to Illinois, a free state at the time. Dredd Scott sued for his freedom. However, the court ruled against him. So there's a bit of irony in the meaning of the phrase, as Dredd Scott didn't become free.

Another comment: Refers to exemption from taxes (Scots) - probably medieval and originally referring to taxes to fund English wars against the Scots.

Steve asks: My family are all Scots and this is a question I have wondered about for years! I assume it has something to do with the "frugalness" (aw heck cheapskate!) characterization of Scottish folks.

Answer 3

Grin. This was a "Ask Yahoo" question.

I am running short on time, so I am using the copy and paste command to answer the answer, and will include the link.

Dear Yahoo!:
How did the term "scott free" come about?
XXXXXXX
XXXXXX

Dear XXXXXXXXX
First off, let's set the record straight on the expression itself -- it's actually "scot-free." And contrary to popular belief, it has nothing to do with Dred Scott or the Scottish.
Sceot is the Old English for "a tax." Scot and lot was a medieval muncipal tax levied on residents. Someone who managed to avoid paying this medieval tax got off "scot free."

Eventually, the word evolved to describe getting away without any kind of punishment, fiscal or otherwise. Kids who fake fevers get out of school scot-free. Cagey adults escape jury duty scot-free. And dogs with remorseful eyes get off scot-free from just about any wrongdoing.

Answer 4

The origin of the phrase "scott free" lies in the original wording, "scotch free". "Scotch" is used in this sense to be a scratch, mar, or scar, particularly in a grid pattern.

Answer 5

Because when there was a mess, you would use Scott paper towel, and when you cleaned it up, it wasn't messy free...it was Scott Free.

Answer 6

My friend Scott keeps getting busted, posts bail each time. His daddy is a rich lawyer. So, we call him "Scott Free".

Answer 7

I have heard that it is really "Scot Free" and it refers to the time when Scotland obtaied its freedom from England which is dealt with in the movie Braveheart.

Answer 8

Two Irish guys were talking and one asked the other how much he pay for his new eyes and he said eyes got free.

Answer 9

The scots who were trying to free themselves from british rule is my guess.

Answer 10

It means that if someone is being charged for a crime they dropped the charges