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June 23, 2006

Comments

Simon H

i seem to remember something about it originating from some Yankee gentlemen's club - it was an in word for the elite set. Meant something but can't quite remember.

Ravi

OK is a quintessentially American term that has spread from English to many other languages. Its origin was the subject of scholarly debate for many years until Allen Walker Read showed that OK is based on a joke of sorts.

OK is first recorded in 1839 but was probably in circulation before that date. During the 1830s there was a humoristic fashion in Boston newspapers to reduce a phrase to initials and supply an explanation in parentheses. Sometimes the abbreviations were misspelled to add to the humor. OK was used in March 1839 as an abbreviation for all correct, the joke being that neither the O nor the K was correct.

Originally spelled with periods, this term outlived most similar abbreviations owing to its use in President Martin Van Buren's 1840 campaign for reelection. Because he was born in Kinderhook, New York, Van Buren was nicknamed Old Kinderhook, and the abbreviation proved eminently suitable for political slogans. That same year, an editorial referring to the receipt of a pin with the slogan O.K. had this comment: “frightful letters... significant of the birth-place of Martin Van Buren, old Kinderhook, as also the rallying word of the Democracy of the late election, ‘all correct’.... Those who wear them should bear in mind that it will require their most strenuous exertions... to make all things O.K.”

KC

Gee, Ravi, that is one succinct summary you got there. You know that off the top of your head??

Are you O.K.?

Clare

If I got a dollar for every time someone asked if Ravi was ok (& I replied in the negative), I'd be a millionnaire 2.5 times over :)

Ravi

Didn't you know I was a walking dictionary? Specially with the help of Google and paste :-)

coach outlet

Wow,wish the killing would just stop.... for both sides ...

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