Rich Language looks at Origin of OK

Rich Language

Origin of OK

Originally posted September 19, 2004 by Peter Cooper

The origin of the ubiquitous psuedo-word "OK" or "okay" has proven to be one of the biggest war grounds in etymology. It is not specifically of English origin, being used all over the world in many different languages. The letters "OK" would be understood by an Englishman or Frenchman alike.

So what are some of the stories surrounding OK?

  • The Greeks had an incantation of "Omega, Khi" with which they drove away fleas.
  • The Finnish language has the word "oikea."
  • Liberian English has the term "oke."
  • Burmese has "hoakeh."
  • The infamous jokers at the Boston Morning Post claimed, in 1839, OK was short for "ORL KORREKT."
  • The Times, in 1939, claimed it had London Cockney origins, from "Orl Korrec."
  • American Indians used the word "okeh" which meant "it is so." The story goes that Andrew Jackson picked up the word during the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.
  • Some Latin scholars claim that "Omnis Korecta" is the origin.

A site called The Straight Dope claims it is convinced of the true etymology. It claims the Bostonian "OLL KORRECT" is the true origin of "OK." Another site, however, claims the American Indian etymology is correct.

This is one of the finest examples of the entertainment of language. Despite technology, historical documents, and the availability of some of the most learned people in history, we still can't work out the etymology of a simple two syllable utterance! Long may it continue.

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Comments

OK, if you say so ;o)

Posted by Chris at September 19, 2004 06:43 AM

the explanation that makes the most sense to me is that it's a military term. it's short for zero kills and it indicates that something, like an attack, went so good that no friendly soldiers were killed. "status report?" "0 K. so far."

Posted by LKM at October 11, 2004 10:49 PM

All the explanations are very romantic, but not very practical. I was told (by very good authority) that a German man by the name of Otto Kruse was employed by the Ford Motor Company in the early days of the Model T. Otto's only task was to inspect each car as it came off the assembly line. If the car passed Otto's careful inspection, he would write his initials on the windshield of the car. His initials, obviously, were "O.K."

Guess what MY last name is?

Posted by Kent at October 28, 2004 05:53 PM
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