What exactly is a kudo?

Question

I think this has to be one of the most annoying words in the English language. Apparently it is meant to convey contragulations.

Where did this word come from? Why do so many people use it to express satisfaction? I think the word should be banned.

P.S. I meant to say congratulations.

Answer 1

from American Heritage dictionary
Usage Problem A praising remark; an accolade or compliment: “Children's book author Virginia Hamilton added another kudo to her prize-laden career” (Calvin Reid, Publisher's Weekly June 26, 1995). See Usage Note at kudos.
Kudos is one of those words like congeries that look like plurals but are etymologically singular. Acknowledging the Greek history of the term requires Kudos is (not are) due her for her brilliant work on the score. But kudos has often been treated as a plural, especially in the popular press, as in She received many kudos for her work. This plural use has given rise to the singular form kudo. These innovations follow the pattern whereby the English words pea and cherry were shortened from nouns ending in an (s) sound (English pease and French cerise), that were mistakenly thought to be plural. The singular kudo remains far less common than the plural use; both are often viewed as incorrect in more formal contexts. •It is worth noting that even people who are careful to treat kudos only as a singular often pronounce it as if it were a plural. Etymology would require that the final consonant be pronounced as a voiceless (s), as we do in pathos, another word derived from Greek, rather than as a voiced (z).

Answer 2

"Giving kudos" is basically the same as "giving props" to someone. That one is even more absured. At least kudos is a real word with a legitimate Greek root. Props is just an abbreviated way to say "proper respect."

The Oxford English Dictionary defines kudos as a noun that means "glory, fame, or renown." Kudos is derived from the Greek kydos (pronounced KEE-dose, meaning "praise," "renown").

Answer 3

There is no such thing as "a kudo". The word "kudos" is a singular noun deriving from Greek origin, and it means "praise". It is a noun that does not have a plural - it does not refer to a single act of praise, but praise in general, and as such it has no plural.

Its proper usage is along the lines of "I give you kudos for you're job well done!"

Unfortunatlely, at least one poorly designed and ill-educated website has allowed users to give "one or two kudos" to blog postings, leading the equally ill-educated users of said website to believe that one can give a single kudo. 'T'ain't so -- kudos is singular, and kudo is just a name I might consider giving my dog.

Answer 4

"Job well done"
"That's a boy"

Why are you in such conflict with an age old word?

From the Greek kŷdos meaning praise or renown. Kudo has been "created" from kudos to be a singular version.

Answer 5

It's a back-formation from the Greek word "kudos", erroneously thought to be a plural.

Answer 6

I don't like the word kudo, but from what I can see it means a compliment or approval.

Answer 7

Kudos is Greek for "praise". The British pronunciation is probably closer to the original Greek: "cue-doss" instead of "coo-doze".

Answer 8

It's greek. Literally it translates as "that which is heard of." When someone says, "Kudos to you," they're really wishing your fame and fortune. At least originally that's what it was used for.

Answer 9

Nothing. It's just a word. I don't have an opinion on that word.

Answer 10

I HATE THIS WORD. However Kudo(s?) bars are amazinggg