where did the saying scott free originate?

Answer 1

Scot free has no connection with Scotsmen, frugal or otherwise. It’s an accidental connection, just as it is in hopscotch.

Scot is from an Old Norse word that meant a payment or contribution and which is linked to the modern French écot, a share of communal expenses, as in payer son écot, to pay one’s share. It is a close relative of shot, which at one time could have the same meaning of a contribution or a share of expenses.

The expression scot free derives from a medieval municipal tax levied in proportional shares on inhabitants, often for poor relief. This tax was called a scot, as an abbreviation of the full term scot and lot, where scot was the sum to be paid and lot was one’s allotted share. (This tax lasted a long time, in some places such as Westminster down to the electoral reforms of 1832, with only those paying scot and lot being allowed to vote.) So somebody who avoided paying his share of the town’s expenses for some reason got off scot free.
it's not scott free, it's scot free


Scot was also used for a payment or reckoning, especially one’s share of the cost of an entertainment; when one settled up, one “paid for one’s scot”. Again, someone who evaded paying their share of the tab got off scot free.

It’s been suggested that this usage may have come from the old habit of noting purchases of drinks and the like by making marks on a slate, or scotching it, but the evidence suggests this is just a popular etymology.

Answer 2

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.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~genepool/meanings.htm

Answer 3

Re: Scott Free/scotch freeIn Reply to: Scott Free/scotch free posted by Richard Young on January 07, 2003. : The origin of the phrase "scott free" lies in the original wording, ...
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Scott Free still never addressedStrangely enough, a conversation over where the phrase "Scott Free" ... If Scott Free didn't originate from the Dred Scott case, where IS it from? ...
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How did the term "scott free" come about?Scot and lot was a medieval muncipal tax levied on residents. Someone who managed to avoid paying this medieval tax got off "scot free." ...
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Answer 4

Scot free

Meaning

To escape pursuers or avoid payment.

Origin

Dred Scott was a black slave born in Virginia, USA in 1799. In several celebrated court cases, right up to the USA Supreme Court in 1857, he attempted to gain his freedom. These cases all failed but Scott was later made a free man by his 'owners', the Blow family.

So, we don't need to look very far for the origin of scott free. Many people, especially in the USA, are convinced that the phrase originated with the story of Dred Scott.

The etymology of this phrase shows danger of trying to prove a case on circumstantial evidence alone. In fact the phrase scot free has nothing to do with Dred Scott.

Given the reputation of Scotsmen to be careful with their money we might look to Scotland for the origin of scot free. Wrong again, but at least we are in the right part of the world now. A scot is a Scandinavian word for tax or payment. It came to the UK as a form of redistributive taxation which was levied as early the 13th century as a form of municipal poor relief. The term is a contraction of 'scot and lot'. Scot was the tax and lot, or allotment, was the share given to the poor.

Scot as a term for tax has been used since then to mean many different types of tax. Whatever the tax, the phrase 'scot free' just refers to not paying one's taxes.

No one likes paying tax and people have been getting off scot free since at least 1568, from when this reference comes - V. Skinner, in a translation of Montanus' Inquisition:

Answer 5

I agree with Tartan terror the picture painted by Harry Lauder having maybe a wee bawbee at the bottom of his sporran generated....a huge myth that the "Scots" are mean and the US of A answers bear this out, also it's not Scotch that's whisky. I was in the army and served in many countries. On a day of me and my many English comrades headed for the pub the things they tried just not to go in and buy the first round was hilarious even to bending down and tying their shoe laces at the door me and the other "Scots" always got the first and last round, Once I dropped something on the floor and bending down to pick it up I noticed all the Englsih wore slip on shoes LOL!! The answer is the tax called Scot from a Scandanavian word levied if you managed to evade payment you got of Scot Free...

Answer 6

curious liberal, im a scot and im extremely expensive! and for the record, the phrase daylight robbery originated from Edinburgh when charles 2nd introduced a daylight tax and if you didn't want to pay it you had to board up your windows and live in darkness, 10x4 rooms housing whole families lit day and night by stinking animal fat candles (if you could afford those luxuries) and with tiny closes or lanes full of everyones rubbish and sewage outside your front door, so how are we notoriously cheap?????

Answer 7

I am not going to say that scott free is directly related to the scots of Scotland. Yet Scotland wanted freedom. When they got their freedom it is possible that they went Scott-Free. Technically though you should ask an elder of scotish decent.

Answer 8

To do with scotland being invaded way back, invaders (vikings?) retreated and left people free. I think this is true but havent worded it very well have I?

Answer 9

Clueless Liberal is talking Bollocks

Answer 10

Scotland in sa we alwats see the scout`s with long pocket`s short arm`s.................SCOTT FREE.....