check mark vs earmark

check mark

noun
  • A mark (✓) made to indicate agreement, correctness or acknowledgement. 

  • In long jump, javelin and similar events, little mark alongside the runway which helps the athlete to set their steps just right for their performance. 

earmark

noun
  • A mark for identification; a distinguishing mark. 

  • The designation of specific projects in appropriations of funding for general programs. 

  • A mark or deformation of the ear of an animal, intended to indicate ownership. 

verb
  • To mark (sheep or other animals) by slitting the ear. 

  • To specify or set aside for a particular purpose, to allocate. 

  • To designate part of a pension to be payable to the holder's former spouse or partner at its time of payment. 

How often have the words check mark and earmark occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )