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From: markrose@spss.com (Mark Rosenfelder)
Subject: Derivation of 'OK'
Message-ID: <D30yJ6.E88@spss.com>
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Date: Thu, 26 Jan 1995 18:11:29 GMT
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Someone (the article is gone here) asked about the derivation of 'OK'.
Many theories have been proposed, most of them based on the assumption that
the only requirement for an etymology is remote possibility.  

The best answer, well supported by citations, is that of Allen Walker Read,
presented in _American Speech_ in 1963-4.  OK derives from a fashion in 
1830s newspapers for humorous abbreviations, often with misspellings; 
'OK' itself, standing for "oll korrect", is first attested in a Boston
paper from 1839.  Other examples were KG "know go", NS "nuff said",
OW "oll wright".

The term was popularized in the 1840 election, when supporters of Van Buren
formed the "OK Club", referring both to the existing meaning and to their
candidate's nickname of Old Kinderhook.
