OK . . . - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

snoop · 07-30-2003, 04:54 PM

Where did the phrase "OK" come from . . ?

MrFlux · 07-30-2003, 05:05 PM

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=ok

Quote:

Word History: OK is a quintessentially American term that has spread from English to many other languages. Its origin was the subject of scholarly debate for many years until Allen Walker Read showed that OK is based on a joke of sorts. OK is first recorded in 1839 but was probably in circulation before that date. During the 1830s there was a humoristic fashion in Boston newspapers to reduce a phrase to initials and supply an explanation in parentheses. Sometimes the abbreviations were misspelled to add to the humor. OK was used in March 1839 as an abbreviation for all correct, the joke being that neither the O nor the K was correct. Originally spelled with periods, this term outlived most similar abbreviations owing to its use in President Martin Van Buren's 1840 campaign for reelection. Because he was born in Kinderhook, New York, Van Buren was nicknamed Old Kinderhook, and the abbreviation proved eminently suitable for political slogans. That same year, an editorial referring to the receipt of a pin with the slogan O.K. had this comment: “frightful letters... significant of the birth-place of Martin Van Buren, old Kinderhook, as also the rallying word of the Democracy of the late election, ‘all correct’.... Those who wear them should bear in mind that it will require their most strenuous exertions... to make all things O.K.”

Magpie0001 · 07-30-2003, 05:22 PM

Thank you mister fancy pants!

World's King · 07-30-2003, 05:34 PM

Well... Okay

twotimesadingo · 07-30-2003, 05:44 PM

I'm going to throw those periods back in there, just to screw with all you scholars...

O.K.?

Stiltzkin · 07-30-2003, 05:50 PM

::gets screwed with::

It's OK to mix things up every now and then, twotimesadingo, but don't overdo it

snoop · 07-31-2003, 04:45 PM

Cheers MrFLUX . .

crackpot · 08-07-2003, 12:14 AM

Oll Korrect. There's 19th century humor for ya!
Thanks for digging that up MrF.

BrinlyNoya · 08-07-2003, 10:18 AM

So, it is suppose to be OK, I used it in a paper for school this past summer and my teacher said I should have "spelled it out" and that if you want to use it in sentences and such, it should be "okay"

QuasiMojo · 09-01-2003, 05:00 PM

OK...

Where did the O.K corral come from?

(haruuumph)

07-30-2003, 04:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
snoop Insane	OK . . . Where did the phrase "OK" come from . . ?

07-30-2003, 05:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
Magpie0001 Nobody Loves Me Location: Irish In Madrid	Thank you mister fancy pants! __________________ Music is my first love & It will be my last.

07-30-2003, 05:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
World's King Here Location: Denver City Denver	Well... Okay __________________ heavy is the head that wears the crown

07-30-2003, 05:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
twotimesadingo Psycho Location: that place with the thing	I'm going to throw those periods back in there, just to screw with all you scholars... O.K.? __________________ I'll be the one to protect you from your enemies and all your demons. I'll be the one to protect you from a will to survive and voice of reason. I'll be the one to protect you from your enemies and your choices, son. They're one and the same I must isolate you, isolate and save you from yourself." - A Perfect Circle

07-30-2003, 05:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
Stiltzkin Junkie	::gets screwed with:: It's OK to mix things up every now and then, twotimesadingo, but don't overdo it __________________ The most important thing in this world is love.

07-31-2003, 04:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
snoop Insane	Cheers MrFLUX . . __________________ ------------------------------------------------ Insert Witty Slogan Here . . . . .

08-07-2003, 12:14 AM	#8 (permalink)
crackpot Junkie Location: Montreal	Oll Korrect. There's 19th century humor for ya! Thanks for digging that up MrF.

08-07-2003, 10:18 AM	#9 (permalink)
BrinlyNoya Crazy	So, it is suppose to be OK, I used it in a paper for school this past summer and my teacher said I should have "spelled it out" and that if you want to use it in sentences and such, it should be "okay"

09-01-2003, 05:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
QuasiMojo King Knave Location: Lancaster	OK... Where did the O.K corral come from? (haruuumph) __________________ AzAbOv ZoBeLoE