Intro
In this episode of “Stuff You Should Know,” the hosts delve into the fascinating history of the word “okay.” They explore its origins, its evolution, and its versatility in the English language.
Main Takeaways
Origins and Etymology
- The word “okay” is one of the most versatile and greatest words in the English language.
- It can be used as an adjective, interjection, verb, and noun.
- The origin of the word “okay” is traced back to the 1830s and is believed to have come from the phrase “oll korrect,” a humorous misspelling of “all correct.”
- An etymologist named Alan Walker Reed traced the origin of “okay” through old-timey pre-internet research in the 1960s.
The Abbreviation Craze
- In the early 19th century, there was an explosion of printing, and penny papers were popular.
- Editors of penny papers would trash talk and joke with each other through their papers.
- In 1838, an abbreviation craze started in Boston, where people used abbreviations for everything.
- Charles Gordon Green, editor of Boston’s Morning Post, is credited with starting the abbreviation craze.
- The abbreviation craze spread from Boston to New York and elsewhere, and this is part one of where “okay” came from.
The Birth of “OK”
- OK stood for “all right” with “all” being spelled “oll” and “right” being spelled “wright” because misspelling things was considered funny.
- Alan Walker Read pinpointed the day OK was born in 1839 after digging through tons of physical newspapers, journals, private letters, and other documents.
- OK did not fall by the wayside like other abbreviations because it coincided with the purposeful misspelling trend and was considered witty.
- OK originated as a humorous misspelling trend in the 1830s.
Evolution and Usage of “OK”
- OK was popularized during Martin Van Buren’s presidential campaign as “Old Kinderhook is OK.”
- OK has evolved to become a neutral affirmative reply that fills a void.
- OK affirms something without any enthusiasm or veneer.
- OK is a useful and versatile abbreviation that has stood the test of time.
Style Guide Variations
- Different style guides have different rules for using “okay.”
- AP style uses uppercase “OK” with no periods.
- The Chicago Manual of Style uses both uppercase and lowercase “okay” with or without periods.
- Grammarly suggests using uppercase “OK” at the beginning of a sentence and lowercase “okay” otherwise.
- Edited writing uses uppercase “OK” about a third of the time and lowercase “okay” about two-thirds of the time.
Summary
The Origins and Evolution of “OK”
The word “okay” has a rich history that traces back to the 1830s. It originated as a humorous misspelling trend during the abbreviation craze in Boston. The phrase “oll korrect” eventually transformed into “OK,” which stood for “all right.” The use of purposeful misspellings and the witty nature of “OK” contributed to its enduring popularity. Over time, “OK” evolved to become a neutral affirmative reply that is widely used today. Different style guides have varying rules for its usage, but it remains a versatile and useful abbreviation.
Conclusion
The history of “OK” showcases the dynamic nature of language and how words can evolve and become ingrained in our everyday conversations. From its humble origins as a humorous misspelling to its current status as a ubiquitous abbreviation, “OK” has stood the test of time. Its versatility and ability to convey a neutral affirmation have made it an essential part of the English language.
