The insult is dismissively applied to those
who think they know everything. The real Alec was not.
Alec Hoag was a prominent criminal in 19th century New York.
Hoag’s wife, Melinda, disguised herself as a prostitute. While
the johns were distracted, Alec pilfered through their pockets.
Because Melinda could be easily identified and to keep the
business flowing, the police received a portion of the profits
from the stolen goods.
Hoag improved upon his scheme with a move called “the panel
game.” In the middle of a tryst, Alec again took the valuables
out of the discarded clothes of the unsuspecting mark. He then
barged in the room accusing the man of sleeping with his wife.
The adulterer would pick up their clothes and escape without
thinking of their missing items.
Eventually, Hoag made enough that he thought he no longer need
law enforcement’s help. They disagreed. Alec and Melinda were
quickly arrested. Mocking him, the police ironically referred to
him as “smart Alec.” The phrase entered the lexicon shortly
after.