sucker list

noun

, Informal.

1. a list of names and addresses of persons considered by a business, charity organization, etc., to be likely purchasers or donors.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sucker list¹

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50

Idioms and Phrases

A list of names of likely prospects for making purchases or donations, as in Some charities raise money by selling their sucker lists to other organizations . This term uses sucker in the sense of “dupe,” a usage that in turn alludes to the naiveté of a baby suckling at its mother's breast. [ Colloquial ; 1940s]