Permanent Markers

Why do they call them 'magic markers'? What makes them different from regular markers?

Public Comments

1. "Magic Marker" and "Sharpie" are both brand names used for medium-tip markers in Canada and the United States of America, however "Magic Markers" are slightly different as they use inks that change colour. Sharpie, in particular, is often used to refer to medium-tip permanent markers used for labeling. Markers have also been considered good tools for pottery. Sharpie is also used in New Zealand.
2. I dont have an answer but it is a darn good question
3. okay, so let's say you write with a blue marker and then you go over it with the white magic marker (which usually comes with the pack of colored magic markers) and it changes color (i.e. from blue to green)
4. cause they are magic, duh!!
5. they call them magic markers because thay make different colors and you dont even have to switrch markers
6. I may date myself here, but we called them Magic Markers lonnnnng before the color-change variety were available. The other alternative at that point was wax crayons, a.k.a. Crayolas. I seem to recall something about a Magic Marker (which was originally a permanent marker only) being advertised to "write on any surface, like magic!" It's a brand name, but one that has come to be used in the generic sense like Kleenex, Thermos, Scotch tape, etc.
7. The name was picked by marketing executives to get the customers excited about the product. Wonderbread's not wonderful, right?
8. its just a brand name