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Scott Free
The phrase is based on Scandinavian word that dates back to the Viking Age.
That term is "scat", and it describes "tax".
While the meaning stayed inact as the expression traveled to England, the word morphed into "scot" and specifically referenced municipal fees proportional to a persons wealth or amount of owned property.
Those who were to poor to pay it or rich enough to work out a workaround were said to be getting off "scott free".
Notably, the phrase has also been rumored to be a reference to Dred Scott, a slave who fought a lenghty legal battle for his family freedom.
Further, the Supreme Court ultimately decided to not allow the Scott family to live free.
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