The story
From mar (“to spoil, to ruin”) + plot (“plan”). In earliest use as a character name in The Busie Body, by Susanna Centlivre, in 1709. Compare addle-plot.
First known use, by meaning
- from 18th c. Synonym of spoilsport, one who ruins other's plans or enjoyment of something.
- from 18th c. Ruining a plan, interfering, spoilsport.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.