Language – Mark of Cain

“The mark of Cain” is an allusion to the biblical figure Cain, the eldest son of Adam and Eve, who murdered his brother Abel out of jealousy and was then cursed by God.

In modern idiom it denotes a public sign of disgrace or disapproval over some controversial conduct, wrongdoing, personal failing or even a crime.

An example of modern usage: “Counsel for the defendant, after conviction of the young man on a charge of dangerous driving, submitted that it would be a mark of Cain to impose a custodial sentence on a person with an otherwise unblemished record and a promising future”.