Can you still say "scot-free?"

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The word is scot, not Scot.

The archaic word "scot" meant "a payment similar to a modern tax, rate, or other assessed contribution."

So scot-free basically meant no tax added. It had nothing to do with Scottish people.

The word niggardly has nothing to do with “the-N word,” but people still avoid it, so as not offend anyone.

Anyone but the poorly educated.

Remember when DC fired an employee for saying niggardly?

Boomers should make a Facebook challenge where you say niggardly in front of Gen Z.

This went down in '98/99. That was, what, 2 years into Gen Z.

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10/25/2022 20:58

Subject: Can you still say "scot-free?"

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Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The word is scot, not Scot.

The archaic word "scot" meant "a payment similar to a modern tax, rate, or other assessed contribution."

So scot-free basically meant no tax added. It had nothing to do with Scottish people.

The word niggardly has nothing to do with “the-N word,” but people still avoid it, so as not offend anyone.

Anyone but the poorly educated.

Do you mean, for example, D.C. city officials who fired an employee for using the word niggardly?

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10/25/2022 20:59

Subject: Can you still say "scot-free?"

quote

Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The word is scot, not Scot.

The archaic word "scot" meant "a payment similar to a modern tax, rate, or other assessed contribution."

So scot-free basically meant no tax added. It had nothing to do with Scottish people.

The word niggardly has nothing to do with “the-N word,” but people still avoid it, so as not offend anyone.

Anyone but the poorly educated.

Do you mean, for example, D.C. city officials who fired an employee for using the word niggardly?

To be fair, D.C. employees struggle with the spelling of “Virginia”

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10/25/2022 21:23

Subject: Can you still say "scot-free?"

quote

Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Scotch tape was supposed to be economical because it saved on adhesive. The stereotype of the Scots as stingy is, of course, offensive, but it doesn't seem to be a major issue -- at least my grandmother never mentioned it.

Are you kidding? I am half Scottish and am proud of the stingy stereotype. It's 100% true in my case, and in my father's family. We are frugal. If you're offended by that, get over yourself.

I think more problematic than scotch tape indicating a miserly lifestyle is the use of Scotch synonymously with whiskey as if all Scottish people are drunks. It’s sad how it’s okay to label a whole people.

NP. I'm going to have to figure you're joking. Scotch whisky (no E in whisky, please; whiskey with an E is from Ireland or the U.S.) is a point of pride for Scottish people. There is no implication that "all Scottish people are drunks." Just that Scotland produces very fine alcohol with which it is proud to have its name associated. Now, the delicacy known as Scotch eggs, that's something the country could do without.

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10/25/2022 21:29

Subject: Can you still say "scot-free?"

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Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who says this anyway? I just say “tape”.

Anyone who wants to distinguish the actual type of tape they need from other tapes. That is, they don’t need masking tape or strapping tape or painter’s tape or boxing tape…they need Scotch tape

Or in the UK, "sellotape," from the brand name "Sellotape" which has become generic. Sello is a brand name play on the first part of the word "cellophane" because the clear tape is like cellophane.

When in the UK visiting family, I ask for "sellotape" and not "scotch tape" as the latter would mean nothing to them.

Ahem. Aside over.

Neither Scotch tape nor scot-free is offensive to those of us from Scotland. First, it's not that kind of "scot." Second, even if it were--we're proud of our frugaliity and we have a sense of humour. No need to get your knickers in a twist over this stuff.

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10/25/2022 21:30

Subject: Can you still say "scot-free?"

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Anonymous