The Origin Of The Most Famous Abbreviation – OK

If you do not know what you are about to read, let me tell you – it’s OK. No, seriously, it IS OK! Here, you are about to fathom the source of this world famous abbreviation, that can be used as a noun, verb, adverb, adjective and also an interjection – OK!

Several Theories

Several theories are revolving around the origin of OK. Some believe that it has evolved from the Native American tribe Choctaw’s word “okeh.” Also, President Woodrow Wilson thought that “okeh” is the correct spelling of okay and he would give the green signal to documents by writing “okeh.”

Read also – Why is “Namaste” More Than Just A Simple Word?

Another theory that it is derived from a word in the Wolof language of Africa (I could not get hold of the exact word, so, apologies). Again, some argue that OK came from the Greek phrase, “ola kala”, meaning “all good” (Close enough?).

Dr. Allen Walker Read (1906 – 2002) claimed that the first appearance of OK was in the Boston Morning Post in 1839. Charles Gordon Greene, the editor of the newspaper, came up with o.k.- which meant “all (k)correct” if one did not know how to spell “all correct”. It was a satirical article on grammar, but, OK became a huge hit.

First Appearance of OK

This is an extract from the article, dated March 23, 1839:

We said not a word about our deputation passing “through the city” of Providence. We said our brethren were going to New York in the Richmond, and they did go, as per Post of Thursday…and his train-band would have his “contribution box”, etceteras, o.k. – all correct – and cause the corks to fly, like sparks, upward.”

OK started gaining popularity when it was used in the name of a political organization, the O.K. Club. Here, O.K. stood for Old Kinderhood – the birthplace of President Martin Van Buren.

Also, OK made its first appearance in the Slang Dictionary of Vulgar Words in 1864. (Vulgar? Now how is THAT OK?)

Read also – English Vinglish: These 5 English Words Originated From Hindi!

Image source
Subscribe to our channels on YouTube & Telegram

Random Post

3 Pitfalls to Avoid When Selecting Disability Insurance

Adding disability insurance to your asset protection portfolio is always a wise idea. The more cushion you have between your health problems and your...

Did You Know About The Fascinating Snapchat Invention Story?

Inventor of SnapchatSnapchat has been rated amongst the top three apps which are used globally. The idea of disappearing pictures is the trademark of...

5 Indoor Plants Will Help You To Sleep Like A Baby!

Not everyone is blessed with baby-like sleep! Most of us go to sleep with a stressed mind and with a lot of things running...

Latest article

Achieving Personal Perfection through CoolSculpting in Denver

In the heart of the picturesque city of Denver, where the Rocky Mountains meet urban sophistication, a new artistry is emerging—sculpting bodies to perfection....

Cooking Green: Master the Zero-Waste Kitchen on a Student Budget

It’s easy to associate a student kitchen with takeout boxes, discarded pizza crusts, and leftovers going to waste. But what if you could transform...

Duck Jerky: Savoring Guilt-Free Indulgence

In the world of jerky, beef and turkey often take center stage, but a flavorful contender is gaining recognition among those who crave something...

Related Articles

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.