# Easy Mark: prigin of **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 15, 2004, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-mark-prigin-of/245334 "2004-05-15T23:12:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-mark-prigin-of/245334/1 "2004-05-15T23:12:37Z")
What is the origin of “Easy Mark” ---
**Author:** ![dnooman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/839c29/32.png) [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-mark-prigin-of/245334/2 "2004-05-15T23:23:22Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > What is the origin of “Easy Mark” According to “The Cooler” with William H. Macy, shysters would actually mark people with a bit of chalk on their backs so that the hustler down the way could easily identify them. IIRC the first guy would gauge the mark’s gullibility via some careful observation and perhaps a few well placed questions. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-mark-prigin-of/245334/3 "2004-05-16T00:38:23Z")
> [@dnooman](#): > > According to “The Cooler” with William H. Macy, shysters would actually mark people with a bit of chalk on their backs so that the hustler down the way could easily identify them. IIRC the first guy would gauge the mark’s gullibility via some careful observation and perhaps a few well placed questions. I know. I just watched it (Maria Bello is hot) but I have learned that one cannot trust fiction and so I was curious if it The Cooler was accurate. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-mark-prigin-of/245334/4 "2004-05-16T01:30:57Z")
Probably from this definition of “mark” from our friends at Merriam-Webster: Main Entry: 1mark Pronunciation: 'märk Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English mearc boundary, march, sign; akin to Old High German marha boundary, Latin margo 1 : a boundary land 2 a (1) : a conspicuous object serving as a guide for travelers (2) : something (as a line, notch, or fixed object) designed to record position b : one of the bits of leather or colored bunting placed on a sounding line at intervals c : TARGET d : the starting line or position in a track event e (1) : GOAL, OBJECT **(2) : an object of attack, ridicule, or abuse; specifically : a victim or prospective victim of a swindle** (3) : the point under discussion (4) : condition of being correct or accurate \ f : a standard of performance, quality, or condition : NORM \ 3 a (1) : SIGN, INDICATION \ (2) : an impression (as a scratch, scar, or stain) made on something (3) : a distinguishing trait or quality : CHARACTERISTIC \ b : a symbol used for identification or indication of ownership c : a cross made in place of a signature d (1) : TRADEMARK (2) capitalized – used with a numeral to designate a particular model of a weapon or machine \ e : a written or printed symbol (as a comma or colon) f : POSTMARK g : a symbol used to represent a teacher’s estimate of a student’s work or conduct; especially : GRADE h : a figure registering a point or level reached or achieved \; especially : RECORD 4 a : ATTENTION, NOTICE \ b : IMPORTANCE, DISTINCTION \ c : a lasting or strong impression d : an assessment of merits : RATING \ ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-mark-prigin-of/245334/5 "2004-05-16T02:30:49Z")
The OED cites the first use of “mark” to mean \* Among criminals: a person, property, etc., targeted for robbery or burglary; \* as follows: > [@](#): > > 1593 T. NASHE Christs Teares 53 None is so much the thieues mark as the myser and the Carle. 1742 Ordinary of Newgate, his Acct. 13 Jan. 14/2, I seeing there was a large Parcel of Plate, told my companions there was a Mark, and we agreed to have it. 1753 Discov. J. Poulter (ed. 2) 4 At Night the Horses came by, and he shew’d us all one particular Pack, and said that’s your Mark. The use of “easy” in combination with mark is cited first from 1903 in the OED.