Why we say “OK”

Summary

The script explores the ubiquitous word 'OK,' tracing its origins to the 1830s Boston, where it emerged from a trend of misspelling abbreviations like 'oll korrect.' It gained popularity through a US presidential campaign and telegraph use, becoming a standard acknowledgment in communication. The word's simplicity and the rarity of starting words with 'K' contributed to its memorability and widespread use. Today, 'OK' serves as a neutral affirmative in language, with its history often debated and mythologized.

Takeaways

• 🌐 'OK' is a globally recognized word used extensively in communication.
• 🗣️ The word 'OK' is thought to have originated from a 19th-century trend of intentionally misspelling abbreviations, particularly among young intellectuals in Boston.
• 📰 'OK' was first published in the Boston Morning Post on March 23, 1839, and quickly gained popularity.
• 🔄 'OK' was initially a slang term, but it transitioned into mainstream use, particularly with the advent of the telegraph, where its brevity and clarity made it ideal for communication.
• 📡 The telegraph's need for concise communication solidified 'OK' as a standard acknowledgment in message transmission, especially in the US railroad industry.
• 🔠 The rarity of the letter 'K' starting words in English and its distinctive sound contributed to 'OK' becoming memorable and enduring.
• 🎨 The visual impact of the letter 'K' has been used in advertising and branding, making 'OK' and other 'K'起始 words more noticeable.
• 📜 Despite myths about its origin, such as being derived from the Choctaw word 'okeh', the true origins of 'OK' are rooted in the 1830s Boston misspellings.
• 🌟 'OK' serves as a neutral affirmative, affirming without conveying specific feelings or evaluations, making it versatile in various contexts.
• 🚀 'OK' was reportedly the first word spoken on the moon, highlighting its pervasive presence and utility in human communication.

Q & A

What is the origin of the word 'OK'?

The word 'OK' traces back to an 1830s fad of intentionally misspelling abbreviations, particularly among young 'intellectual' types in Boston, who used it as 'oll korrect', a butchered version of 'all correct'.

When was the word 'OK' first published?

The word 'OK' was first published on March 23, 1839, in the Boston Morning Post.

How did the telegraph contribute to the widespread use of 'OK'?

The telegraph, which debuted in 1844, transmitted short messages using electric pulses. 'OK' was easy to tap out and unlikely to be confused with other letters, making it a standard acknowledgement of a transmission received.

What is the significance of the letter 'K' in the word 'OK'?

The letter 'K' is uncommon to start a word in English, and its rarity spurred a 'Kraze for K' in advertising and print, where companies modified words to catch the eye, making 'OK' more memorable.

Why was 'OK' adopted as a nickname during a US presidential campaign?

In the 1840 presidential campaign, a US president from Kinderhook, New York, adopted 'OK' as a nickname. His supporters formed 'OK Clubs' to promote the message that 'Old Kinderhook was all correct'.

What is the role of 'OK' in modern communication?

Today, 'OK' is used as the ultimate 'neutral affirmative', affirming without evaluating, meaning it acknowledges and accepts information without conveying any feelings.

Why is 'OK' considered a reflexive word in our language?

'OK' is considered reflexive because it is used so frequently and unconsciously in everyday communication that we often don't keep track of how much we use it.

What is a common misconception about the origin of 'OK' mentioned in the script?

A common misconception is that 'OK' comes from the Choctaw word 'okeh', which means 'so it is'. However, this is a myth that has been perpetuated despite the word's actual Bostonian origins.

How did the word 'OK' become embedded in the American vernacular?

The 1840 presidential campaign and the subsequent publicity and debates about 'OK' in newspapers helped to firmly establish the word in the American vernacular.

What is the significance of 'OK' being the first word spoken when humans landed on the moon?

The use of 'OK' as the first word spoken on the moon signifies its status as a universally recognized and neutral form of communication, even in the most historic and extraordinary of circumstances.