The term is adopted from golf, where an out of bounds marker denotes the area beyond which playing is not allowed.

Historical markers denote this history.

A historical marker near the intersection of Brown and Main denotes the high-water line of the infamous 1938 hurricane (the force of the storm was such that pieces of South County homes were later found on Rhode Island's eastern shore).

Between the two buildings, historical markers denote John Hunt Morgan's capture of the town in July 1863.

A historic marker on Kingston Pike denotes the location where he was mortally wounded.

A formal marker, placed in modern times, denotes the site, which has been the subject of some archaeological research, and which has been visited by both the current Emperor of Japan, HIM Akihito, and his predecessor HIM Hirohito.

A marker at the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park denotes where the boundaries of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia intersect.

It has been promised that historical markers will denote its history in Jackson County, but some preservationists in Jackson County decry it being moved, saying the grant money was already there to pay for its renovation in Jackson County.

Even simpler remedies are possible: a sign a half mile before the exit calling for speeds of 40 miles an hour for the right lane and a right-lane marker clearly denoting that only exiting traffic could use that lane would help.