were does the "ok" come from?

Answer 1

There have been numerous attempts to explain the emergence of this curious colloquial expression, which seems to have swept into popular use in the US during the mid-19th century. Most of them are undoubtedly pure speculation. It does not seem at all likely, from the linguistic and historical evidence, that it derives from the Scots expression 'och aye', the Greek ola kala ('it is good'), the Choctaw Indian oke or okeh ('it is so'), the French aux Cayes ('from Cayes', a port in Haiti with a reputation for good rum) or au quai ('to the quay', as supposedly used by French-speaking dockers), or the initials of a railway freight agent called Obediah Kelly who is said to have written them on lading documents he had checked.

The oldest written references to 'OK' result from its adoption as a slogan by the Democratic party during the American Presidential election of 1840. Their candidate, President Martin Van Buren, was nicknamed 'Old Kinderhook' (after his birthplace in New York State), and his supporters formed the 'OK Club'.

This undoubtedly helped to popularize the term (though it did not get President Van Buren re-elected!). During the late 1830s there had been a brief but widespread craze in the US for humorous misspellings, and the form orl korrekt which was among them could explain the initials 'OK'. Such a theory has been supported by more than one distinguished American scholar, and is given in many dictionaries, including Oxford dictionaries.

The only other theory with at least a degree of plausibility is that the term originated among Black slaves of West African origin, and represents a word meaning 'all right, yes indeed' in various West African languages. Unfortunately, historical evidence enabling the origin of this expression to be finally and firmly established may be hard to unearth.

Answer 2

Some believe it came from the abbreviation of Orrin Kendall biscuits, which soldiers ate during the civil war. Others say OK is short for Aux Cayes, a Haitian port that American sailors praised for its rum. Another legend suggests the word comes from Old Keokuk, a Native American tribal chief who was said to have signed treaties with his initials.

But none of those versions have been proven correct, as NPR's Neva Grant reports for Morning Edition's Present at the Creation series.

What is known is that one of the first instances of OK appearing in print was in the spring of 1839 by the Boston Morning Post:

It is hardly necessary to say to those who know Mr. Hughes, that his establishment will be found to be 'A. No. One' -- that is, O.K. -- all correct.



See link below for more on the word OK

Answer 3

I don't know, but for sure is better that say "Do you understand" all the time, so enjoy the OK, ok.

and some people can really make some stuff for points, like zero killed (0K)

Answer 4

it comes from the word ( zero killed )-( 0-killed ) that used to be used in wars and esp the world wars, when the reports came in , zero-killed was used and then it was used widely and more commonly ...... there u go... ok

Answer 5

Wow, looks like there's lots of research here. I just looked in my dictionary, and after all the "it's informal" stuff it said:
"Abbr. of oll korrect, slang respelling of all correct."
Helpful?

Answer 6

form the abc

Answer 7

the letters o and k

Answer 8

from the word okay...

Answer 9

okiley dokely- ned flanders...............................................................................i really dont know