” Free lance.
Why is an independent writer, photographer, or the like called a ‘free lance’?
Why is an independent writer, photographer, or the like called a ‘free lance’?
A medieval mercenary soldier who was free of any continuing loyalties was known as a ‘free companion.’ Sir Walter Scott in his novel ‘Ivanhoe,’ coined a more descriptive term for such a soldier–‘free lance.’ “
–from the Dictionary of Word Origins: A History of the Words, Expressions and Cliches We Use by Jordan Almond, Citadel 1997
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Literary Lotus 
Thanks WFW! This brings me back to my folklore class in college when Prof Dundes had us collect and explain our own examples–this wasn’t one of them. . .
Thanks for that Christine. It’s an odd fact that most of us rarely think of the meaning behind such familiar terms. It makes complete sense now.Btw, I’m always in admiration of your reading list. 🙂