What does "OK" actually mean?

elizabethmc

'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.' Taken from http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=okay&r=67 Jul 17 03, 6:07 PM

hopeful1989

means Ola Kala. which means all right in English. it came from Greek immigrants who worked on bridge construction in Australia and also in the U.S.of America. Sep 20 08, 11:20 AM

Baloo55th

Can you give a reference for that, please? It could be right - the subject is much debated and back-up is definitely desirable (especially for those of us that don't know that one). Sep 20 08, 11:35 AM

Baloo55th

Just noticed that Liz didn't actually give the meaning asked for. The meaning of OK or okay varies with the context. Basically, it carries approval rather than disapproval ('OK, do it'), or acceptable rather than not acceptable - but less acceptable than 'great' ('The food was great; the service was OK' implies the service could have been better but wasn't bad enough to walk out over). (There is a basic progression from crap through so-so to OK, then great and brilliant. OK is a pass grade, so-so is just a fail.) Liz seems right on the origins - OK did not originate with Martin van Buren but was hijacked for his campaign. I feel the Boston origin is more likely than the Greek - Greece had only achieved independence from its Ottoman rulers for about ten years, and Boston newspapers and a presidential election campaign are going to have had a wider impact than possible use by Greek seamen (who would probably not have been visiting the US in great numbers as neither country would have much cause for trade with the other). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okay which covers hopeful's suggestion as well. Sep 20 08, 1:20 PM

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