- This term is often used in sports. Merk could have derived its spelling from the Mercian word, merc, which is the English word for mark. English definition of mark means ‘trace impression’. Words that were borrowed by English often replaced /c/ at the end of words with a /k/. Using the English spelling of ‘merc’ and the English definition of ‘mark’, explains the usage of ‘merk’. At one point ‘merk’ was slang for killing someone, but became more generalized over time. Today, merk more specifically means to leave an impression on your opponent.
Merk
verb; other word formation type novel creation
To beat someone in an easy fashion
Etymology : Mark ‘trace, impressions’ Old English mearc (West Saxon)
Source : “Chris Weidman got merked by that knee” -Joe Rogan commination on UFC 205
Last modified: 6 December 2016