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The expression is "scot-free", and it originates from Old English scotfreo "exempt from royal tax," from scot"royal tax," from Old Norse skot "contribution", and freo "exempt".

More background at:

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=scot-free

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15y ago
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14y ago

A scot is a Scandinavian word for tax or payment. It came to the UK as redistributive taxation, levied in the early 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. Being scot freejust meant that you didn't have to pay the tax.

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13y ago

Getting off scot-free means to evade rightful payment without further consequences.

For example: Many people think that OJ Simpson is guilty of murder, but got off scot- free.

Or: That pompous jerk just walked out of the bar and didn't pay one cent toward the group's tab... he got off scot free, this time!

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Q: Origin and meaning of get off scot free?
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