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RachelEspinoza: 2 years ago

What does the o and k in O.K stand for?

Just wondering...

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Answer 1

VirginiaL: 2 years ago | Last edited at 9:12AM on 2/22/2011

The origin of OK or 'okay' is not known for certain, and has in fact been the subject of much discussion among etymologists.

But here is another interesting speculation:
The use of the term among African slaves has been documented as early as 1784, and it is possible that 'okay' came to America when people were brought from Africa.

The Mandingo language includes the term "o ke," and the Bantu language has a work "waw-key."

(This is discussed on Wikipedia, among other places.)

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Answer 2

Rheada: 2 years ago

OK actually started out to stand for oil korrect and originated in 1839. During this time using abbreviations was the going thing. In 1840, O.K became the shortened/slang nickname for Van Buren, 'Old Kinderhook'.

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Answer 3

kodaandelmo: 2 years ago

It has also been suggested that it came from Greek - olla kalla meaning 'all good' or the choctaw-chickasaw 'okah' meaning it is indeed.

However, Professor Allen Walker Read reported it's first recorded use way back in 1839 in the Boston Morning Post - 'oll' korrect' meaning all correct.

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Answer 4

Boypinoy: 2 years ago

It originally meant Zero Killed, or O.K. when military headquarters asking their field commanders on the casualties at the war front.

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VirginiaL: 2 years ago

Dear Boypinoy,
That is fascinating! Really sounds true...do you have a reference? I would love to read more...

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Boypinoy: 2 years ago

Hi Virgina, I do not have a reference. This was just taught to us by our ROTC instructor some 30 years ago. Americans trrops in WWII popularized this usage. Thanks.

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VirginiaL: 2 years ago

Well, I am adding it to my file of wonderful things learned on Ask.com, thank you!

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