Here’s a quiz: which is that one English word that is recognized throughout the world and no other word of any language has succeeded like that?
Can you guess the answer? No? Here is another clue.
Let’s say you’re setting off to see the world and aside from saying please and thank you in a smattering of languages you pretty much only know English. What is the one word that most of the people you encounter will also know?
If you don’t know what that word is, it’s OK.
Seriously: it’s OK. The word “OK”.
Time for a little word history, OK?
So just where did this word come from? For years, its origin was a mystery.
One theory is that it came from the Greek phrase “ola kala,” which means all good.
And then there’s the Choctaw word okeh. The Choctaw were Native American people originally occupying what is now the Southeastern United States. The Choctaw word okeh sounds quite similar and means so it is. American president Woodrow Wilson reportedly thought it was the “correct” spelling of the word, and would OK documents with okeh.”
And finally, the most famous OK origin story was reinforced in the 2012 Academy Award-winning movie, “Silver Linings Playbook”:
PAT: “Here’s a fun fact. You know where the term ‘OK’ comes from?”
VERONICA: “No. No, I don’t.”
PAT: “Well, Martin Van Buren, the eighth president of the United States of America, is from Kinderhook, New York . . . and he was part of a club, a men’s club, called Old Kinderhook. And if you were cool, you were in the club, they’d say, ‘That guy’s OK.’ ‘Cause he was in the Old Kinderhooks.
Is that true? Umm no, not really (so not OK!)
The real origin story of OK is literally a joke
Much like the modern-day world filled with text-friendly shortcuts such as LOL, BRB and OMG, an abbreviation craze swept nineteenth-century America.
Let us present for comparison the 1839 New York newspaper report of a young woman remarking to her friend “O.K.K.B.W.P.”: her alphabetic message was answered with a kiss. Can you guess what O.K.K.B.W.P. meant? Well, it translated as “one kind kiss before we part.” Take that, Internet!
The 1820s and 1830s shared another linguistic fad with today: a liking for deliberate misspellings. Kewl, rite?
Just like today, in an attempt at being funny and fashionable, young, educated people deliberately misspelt words and abbreviated them for slang. For example, KG” stood for know go, the incorrect spelling of no go. The joke is lost on us today, but it was LOL-worthy in the 1800s!
So on March 23, 1839, an American newspaper called the Boston Morning Post published a satirical article on grammar.
A man named Charles Gordon Greene, who was also the editor of the newspaper, wrote that article. In that piece he came up with an abbreviation — O.K. and thus became the man who gave birth to this global word.
When O.K. appeared in that article, it was intended to be the shortening of oll korrect, the humorous misspelling of all correct.
OK, it was humorous 182 years ago.
OK very slowly seeped into the American vernacular during 1839 and by the end of the year, it had shown up in various American newspapers.
Whats most interesting is how OK did not fall out of fashion like most of the abbreviations of that time. Nobody uses K.G. (know go) or OW (oll wright) anymore, right? so, naturally the question that arises is
How did OK become so famous?
Although OK became one of the more commonly used short forms at the time, it sure would have passed into oblivion if it had not been for Americas presidential election of 1840.
Now, while President Martin Van Buren wasn’t the origin of OK, as the movie suggested, the man did have a hand in popularizing it.
Martin Van Buren, the eighth President of the United States (1837-1841)
Van Buren had invented the slogan in his presidential campaign, “Vote for OK” in reference to both his hometown and his nickname, Old Kinderhook.
Their campaign was so memorable that it both popularized the word and hijacked the story of its origin: there are today still those who believe that “Old Kinderhook” is the original meaning of OK.
There was another very important reason for the popularity of this word – the telegraph.
The birth of ‘OK’ coincided with the invention of the telegraph, and as messages cost more if they contained more letters, early telegraph operators, as a standard practice, used the term ‘OK’ to confirm that a message had been received.
Over time this word became so popular that it crossed all boundaries – of countries, languages, race or religion. And we dont even realise how many times we use it in a day: it’s almost become a reflex.
“Annie, are you ok? Are you ok, Annie? You’ve been hit by, you’ve been struck by a smooth criminal”
From Michael Jackson singing, Annie, are you ok? Are you ok, Annie? in his massive hit song Smooth Criminal, to being arguably the first word spoken when humans landed on the moon as Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin said “OK, engine stop, once the lunar module was sitting on the moon OK has ruled the world for many, many years now.
But today, there is an enemy at the gate! Another word, that may seem like it could compete with OK has crept into our common utterance –like.
The battle of “OK” versus like”
In the battle of “OK” versus like”, OK comes way out on top. Like is not as versatile as OK. All it does is just give a little bit of affirmation.
OK is a pair of initials with a much broader range and multitude of uses.
Above all, it’s an adjective when you say, ‘This is OK. But it’s also a noun: ‘I gave this my OK.’ It’s also a verb: I OK’d it.’ It’s also an adverb: ‘She did it OK.’ And it’s also an interjection: OK then!
This word can also express different meanings in different situations.
It can be a simple gesture to acknowledge what another person says:
A: Should we order the salad?
B: Yeah!
A: OK!
In this example, one speaker uses OK to show that she acknowledges what the other speaker says. She also uses OK to show agreement.
However, we even use OK even when we do not agree with what is being said:
A: Did you know that humans used to ride Dinosaurs!
B: Are you sure? I dont think humans were around back then.
A: No, no, humans are way older than dinosaurs!
B: Umm OK then!
Once again, OK serves the purpose of acknowledging what another person says but with the intention to disagree.
We even use OK to end a conversation:
A: So are you coming to the party today?
B: Yeah, I will be there.
A: OK. I will see you there.
In this way, neither speaker is surprised when the conversation does end. So you see how versatile this two letter word is!
OK, it has been great telling you all about the origins of this amazing little word but we have to go now. Until next time!
Meanwhile, write to us in the comments section and tell us how else do you use OK in your everyday conversations and what part of this origin story you found most fascinating!
As a true introvert, Raza Mehdi shudders at the thought of having to expose very much of himself willingly and with malice-aforethought. Writing online since 2008; fiction, poetry, and articles on science, politics, humour and history. When he is not working, he is either trekking in mountains or sleeping. In his own words, the most apt description of him would be: Biryani on social media, daal chawal in person.
Arya C is a 4th grader who talks about her transition from the US to India and how BYJU`S has helped her at that. She also loves how BYJU`S has made learning a lot more fun.
Meet Sourabh who has a ton to say about his BYJU`S learning experience. His love for quizzes, games and other fun activities are paying off!
V Shriya is a class eight student who has been using BYJU?S for a year now. She shares her experiences with using the app and how it has helped her in improving her academic performance.
Aanvi from class 9 has been with BYJU`S for just 6 months and hear what she has to say about her learning experience with the app.
Comments
Kanaram
July 29, 2021
I’m ok
Rifana
July 29, 2021
??
Barsha priyadarshini Panda
July 29, 2021
I want to clear my basic in maths, science, etc
K. Sai Harshika bhavani
July 29, 2021
The most successful word in the world was ”Hello”
V.Tisha
July 29, 2021
Wow
Aditya Mahesh tonge
July 29, 2021
OK” is one of the most common words in the English language, but linguistically it’s a relative newbie. It’s just 150 years old, and traces its roots back to 19th century Boston. Rather than anyone purposefully inventing “OK,” it’s actually editorial joke that inadvertently went viral.
Shiuli singh
July 29, 2021
When anyone gives me work. Like my mummy then i say ok. I will do it
P. Pallavi
July 29, 2021
Nice ,good and excellent…
A.Anwitha
July 29, 2021
Byju’s.. You post interesting stories every week !! I love to read all your stories.. I get to know amazing stuff !! Thanks ? !!
Umaima Suzain.
July 29, 2021
I say the fullform of ‘OK’ as “Objection Killed”.
It was very interesting to know about Ok.?
Gargi
July 29, 2021
Wow I very interesting
I don’t think about it that word OK has a history
Very nice
Because of Byju’s
Thank you Byju’s
shreshtha
July 29, 2021
OK! M DONE !!
Debprotim topno
July 29, 2021
Very nice
Mrityunjay Agrawal
July 29, 2021
Very good blog, with the history of ok
Ayesha khatoon
July 29, 2021
That was so interesting fact to note down and was helpful too
Athira
July 29, 2021
Ok
Shamiksha.S
July 29, 2021
Ok
Khushi
July 29, 2021
So cute story
Anukalp Chaubey
July 29, 2021
Its a very fabulous Story about the history of OK. I am very happy to read it and all my family and relatives liked it because i have sent them this story and they were telling its fabulous Anukalp.
G.Sai Rupesh Chowdhary
July 29, 2021
Super it’s correct
P. Kavin
July 29, 2021
It’s a very interesting story about ‘OK’
Now i am ok ok
Thank u for refreshing me
bhavya
July 29, 2021
The Choctaw were Native American people originally occupying what is now the Southeastern United States. The Choctaw word okeh sounds quite similar and means so it is. American president Woodrow Wilson reportedly thought it was the correct spelling of the word, and would OK documents with okeh.
Himika Bhakta
July 29, 2021
This story is better than OK ! ??
Abhinav.S.Murali
July 29, 2021
OK
Avinava Nandi
July 29, 2021
It’s really awesome. I also don’t know about this!!
Japjot Kaur
July 29, 2021
Byjus help me to understand the real world .How things are generated, invention, occurrence and so on .
K.NIDHISHRAJ
July 29, 2021
If there was no ok? There would have been no Ok in the article. If OK wasn’t introduced in newspapers what would have happened? If Charles Grodon Greene wasn’t born what would have been the case? Can you answer my question quick?
Ankita Jain
July 29, 2021
Ok great ?
Sraddha
July 29, 2021
Very intresting ??
Harsh
July 29, 2021
Very nice
Ananya Chowdhury
July 29, 2021
nice history , love it ??
Jasmine Kaur
July 29, 2021
Nice ?? now i know something new in my life ….. Plz hmesha aise hi stories send krte rho…. Yo ??
I luv u byjus …. Byjus is the best
Yoshitha MK
July 29, 2021
Using OK for a conversation:
1. hi are you free?
2.yes
3. Ok call me now
Here I have used ok for ending my conversation, and at the story of ok my favourable part was ok versus like.
It was too interesting for me. ?
Thank you
by Yoshitha MK ??
Surya
July 29, 2021
That’s interesting to know the origin of OK.
Sakshi Singh
July 29, 2021
Writing such a long article on OK is really a great thing… Hats off to the writer… ?
A .DWARAKA
July 29, 2021
I say ok to my sister every day
I don’t know how many OKs I have used
This article was awesome ??
Aditya Sharma
July 29, 2021
Ok ,this story is very interesting
Pragya Singh
July 29, 2021
Very interesting ,loved it ? , thank you for this great story ? as I love to learn and know about ancient things . This was amazing ??
Arijeet Dutta
July 29, 2021
Wow! The origin of OK is amazing!??! That’s ok.
Suranjan cv
July 29, 2021
Super means LIKE OK I like this byjus app super thankful for this
Sidhi Dalal
July 29, 2021
It was a great time to read about the story of the word ‘OK’.
Sejal
July 29, 2021
Hey!Are you guys OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK?
Divyam Yadav
July 29, 2021
“OK” is one of the most common words in the English language, but linguistically it’s a relative newbie. It’s just 150 years old, and traces its roots back to 19th century Boston. … OK first appeared as an abbreviation for Oll Korrect, printed in a satirical article about grammar
Mrittika Mondal
July 29, 2021
Amazing
Divyam Yadav
July 29, 2021
mid 19th century (originally US): probably an abbreviation of orl korrect, humorous form of all correct, popularized as a slogan during President Van Buren’s re-election campaign of 1840 in the US; his nickname Old Kinderhook (derived from his birthplace) provided the initials.
Aadhaar S Bandhavakar
July 29, 2021
Story was very nice
Lokesh kumar
July 29, 2021
Hi gyus. I am lokesh kumar. Ok vs like is very amazing explanation. Byjus is best learning platform ?.
SHAMBHAVI Dubey
July 29, 2021
I like byju’s. Byju’s teachers are very good their understanding is nice. It is the best way to learn at home. Very Nice company and its app is nice.
S L Yuvanthi
July 29, 2021
Really!!A word OK has a history!!Hmm… Interesting
Shivanshu Tomar
July 29, 2021
Nice ?
Shreyasi Naskar
July 30, 2021
It was a new thing which I didn’t known about OK.
Ayesha Khatoon byjus. Com
July 30, 2021
Good Byju’s
Harsh raj
July 30, 2021
Very nice story
Sathya sri
July 30, 2021
It was so nice ?and I love to say ok ???and byju’s is best leaning app and I love byju’s.
Atharv Gowardhan khedkar
July 30, 2021
Bye
Arpit verma
July 30, 2021
Ok
Ganesh jadhav
July 30, 2021
Very interesting
I am fine ?
July 30, 2021
its amazing
Gauravi Ingole
July 30, 2021
Very nice explanation of from where did ok come from by Byjus which is best platform to learn something new andto Do fun.
Ch.Gracey
July 30, 2021
Wow???for OK there is a history. Superb byju’s we are learning more in byju’s. Thanks so much ??
SAIVI KAMREJA
July 30, 2021
Ok. I understood the word ok and from where it originated. Thx ??
Praveen Singh
July 30, 2021
This very good story of the ok.
Thanks
Jai goyal
July 30, 2021
Very nice ? work
Kristi Verma
July 30, 2021
Wow
Anamika
July 30, 2021
Byj’us Nice ??
Anamika
July 30, 2021
??
N Ponhareesh
July 30, 2021
LOL! IT’S OK
Amrutha
July 30, 2021
Wow
Samiya parween
July 30, 2021
Thank you byjus for giving me this story of word ok …..now I know the origin story of word ok …..
Aadi
July 30, 2021
That was great I didn’t know it
Jagriti Patel
July 30, 2021
OK is one of the most common words in the English language, but linguistically its a relative newbie. Its just 150 years old, and traces its roots back to 19th century Boston. Rather than anyone purposefully inventing OK, its actually editorial joke that inadvertently went viral.
Suchana panja
July 30, 2021
#”ok”now I can say with a knowledge of okkkkk
Aswath Anil
July 30, 2021
WOW
Parth Awasthi
July 30, 2021
Are you oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooook
Gagandeep
July 30, 2021
Ok
Khushbu
July 30, 2021
??
Anjali
July 30, 2021
It was very interesting to know about the History of world’s most spoken word “ok”.It is the most of the common word in the English language. I everyday use to say this words but I never knows the meaning of this word. All thanks to Byju’s.
YATHARTH KHAKRE
July 30, 2021
Very nice blog thanks
Sheetal Gupta
July 30, 2021
Ok ” sir”
Sivanarayan maniveli A
July 30, 2021
?
J.Jai Siddharth
July 30, 2021
I love the story
Widhy
July 30, 2021
Thanks Byjus for this amazing article?
ARAYNA TIGGA
July 30, 2021
Thanks Byjus . This story was really intresting, Amazing, And of course useful it’s really a good story I actually liked it very much. Awesome story.
ARAYNA TIGGA
July 30, 2021
I didn’t know that ‘OK’ also has a history, because of Byjus now I know and I liked it very much really interesting story.?
Rudra Lakhani
July 30, 2021
Its amazing
Adish Dhangar
July 30, 2021
Ok is the one of best word ever
Anushka
July 30, 2021
Byjus.. You post interesting stories every week !! I love to read all your stories.. I get to know amazing stuff !! Thanks ? !!
Shubhankari sinha
July 30, 2021
???????nice
Abhinav Chauhan
July 30, 2021
Ok????
Pughazhini
July 30, 2021
I am OK with the story
Aryan
July 30, 2021
Nice!! Today I received unique knowledge about the word ? .
Minza Iqbal
July 30, 2021
I used to think that ‘ok’ means ‘all correct’
Daya
July 30, 2021
Interesting story behind the work ‘ok’… Enjoyed reading it
Anubhav
July 30, 2021
OK !! I understood
Anubhav
July 30, 2021
OK ? is literally a historic word !!!!
Anandi paturkar
July 30, 2021
Great!!!! like this origin story “OK”
Sampurnna Dutta
July 30, 2021
BYJU’S , You post very interesting stories every week .
I love to read your all stories.
Thanks BYJU’S.
Aniket shekhar
July 30, 2021
I’m ok
Kritika mehandiratta
July 30, 2021
??
Dipika Singh
July 30, 2021
Ok is most widely used word?
Arunima jyoti
July 30, 2021
OK
Ananya
July 30, 2021
Nice
Greeshma GS
July 30, 2021
“the” is the most used english word
Adhyanth dutta
July 30, 2021
It’s ok! ok! ok! ok! ok! ok! ok! ok! ok! ok! ok! ok! ok! ok! ok ! ‘aaaa’??
Akhilendra Bharoriya
July 30, 2021
I am a ver intelligent ??????
N.lasya
July 30, 2021
????
Sukhdev
July 30, 2021
????
Keval Bhambha
July 30, 2021
Very Nice ???
Kumar
July 30, 2021
Ok
Vaishnavi Bhande
July 30, 2021
Ok
Vaishnavi Bhande
July 30, 2021
Motion
Ariba
July 30, 2021
Wao?? like this article
Mack
July 30, 2021
Ok
Arisha
July 30, 2021
Where deos rainbow come frome
Nandika
July 30, 2021
Hands off to the writer. This article was really helpful to understand the origin of history of ok.
pratyush janartha
July 30, 2021
first time i have Iearned so much about ok
tanks byju !!
Iets rock with OK
Dr . AYUSH JHA
July 30, 2021
Yes ‘OK’ is the word which is commonly used in every where . I like the history and the invention of the beautiful word ‘ OK. It’s very helpful for us and thank you for us such a beautiful information
East and West Our byju’s family is the best !
Namami Chourey
July 30, 2021
Never thought that a 2-letter word would have such a long history.
Sai
July 30, 2021
It’s ok
Anubhav
July 30, 2021
Ooooo !! So this is the fact behind ‘ok’. It was long but its OK ?? !!
Sai Sumedh
July 30, 2021
This blog’s OK.
Get it?
If not, it is OK.
Srawan. R .yadav
July 30, 2021
Igot to learn something new and I like it
Ritika
July 30, 2021
Good
Sujal
July 30, 2021
Its nice
Syeda Bushra Fatima
July 30, 2021
The story is very nice
Aishwarya
July 30, 2021
this question never popped in my mind..lol
Zarka Shakil Khan
July 30, 2021
Nice ??
Pranitha
July 31, 2021
The most famous word in the world it is “OK”
Apurva Gaurav
July 31, 2021
oll korrect then.
I knew what it meant ? but never ever wondered it’s origin.
Thanks to sir Charles Gordon Greene from Boston Morning Post for such creating such kinda cool word.
And a very thanks ? to byju’s for sharing such great ? information ?? to us .
Thank you ? very much..
Apurva Gaurav
Ansh Tripathi
July 31, 2021
Are you OK ?
@TEAMBYJUS
Anadi Sharma
July 31, 2021
Nice v, good
Risibalan
July 31, 2021
Byjus please give live class for second time only you give one book free trial please give for second time byjus SIR,
MAHI KASHYAP
July 31, 2021
Fantastic ??….
B.Dedeepya lakshmi
July 31, 2021
This is existing story of ???
Raju Kumar
July 31, 2021
Nice ??ok
Hithashini
July 31, 2021
Ok
Gurjot singh
July 31, 2021
Nice story
Rifa Tasnim
July 31, 2021
Very interesting? really liked it?
Somya varhat
July 31, 2021
????????
Kannan M
July 31, 2021
It’s an efficient message!
Arju
July 31, 2021
Interesting…?
Hashim
July 31, 2021
Oleg good OK
Jasra
July 31, 2021
My health is not ok
‘Not Ok’ refers that I am not good or not feeling well
Bulbul Choudhary
July 31, 2021
Ok ??
Theivakumar
July 31, 2021
The most successful word in the world was Hello
Shagun
July 31, 2021
Interesting story
Srijani Mukherjee
July 31, 2021
Ok that’s some new information!
P
July 31, 2021
Great….then what the story of (OKAY)***
Shaurya mishra
July 31, 2021
Happy friendship day
Shriya Sinha
July 31, 2021
Ok? Thanks for posting this origin of OK
Shriya Sinha
July 31, 2021
Thanks for posting this origin of OK
Firdos
July 31, 2021
I’ve never thought about this question it was amazing. I mean it was Ok
Yogansh magare
August 1, 2021
Nice????
Darshana Patil
August 1, 2021
Please tell the origin story of YES.
Darshana Patil
August 1, 2021
Ok can also be use as fine.
Ex. I am Ok means I am fine.
Yuvti Ravindra Chaugule
August 1, 2021
How I use OK in my day to day life? :-
My mother – Yuvi fold the clothes.
Me – OK mummy!
What part I loved the most? :-
The part of this origin story I found fascinating is – The real origin story of OK is literally a joke.
Thank you Byju’s!
Jay mainkar
August 1, 2021
?
Keerthies
August 1, 2021
Amazing
Lokesh Yadav
August 1, 2021
It’s ‘ok’ good great excellent
Aania Kumari
August 2, 2021
It is amazing to see that ok also has a history and it is really a fascinating origin.
S.Nidharshana
August 2, 2021
Ok ??
Khushi paneliya
August 2, 2021
???
Thank you
Zenith
August 2, 2021
Lovely. Loved Daal Chawal’s Biriyani.
Renuka Amit Sonpatki #Curious?
August 2, 2021
Well, I use ok in every conversation like:
1) ok bye I am leaving
2) ok see you soon
3) I don’t feel it right but it’s ok
Etc. Etc. We really use okay every day ??
Sanghita Roy
August 2, 2021
This is really an interesting story of ??????
Bhagyashree patil
August 2, 2021
Wow??????
Bhavana. patil
August 2, 2021
Wow! THE ORIGIN OF OK IS AMAZING!???!! THAT’S OK..
Aditi Paraspari
August 3, 2021
Wow, I always knew that everything in the world have own history. Thanks for this wonderful story.
Shivam sen
August 4, 2021
Wow
Aarav
August 4, 2021
I like Byju’s