What does OK Mean?

So what about spelling it 'okay'? Or when it is used as a transitive verb like "Okay-ed" as in "my boss 'okay-ed' my raise". In that context *All correct* (or oll korrect) just doesn't seem... well... correct! I think the meaning has simply changed to mean a form of 'agreement' or 'approval' (e.g. Boss:"I took the last cup of coffee" Employee: "That okay!")

~joe

Prepare to learn more...

[Abbreviation of oll korrect, slang respelling of all correct.]

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.”

(From Answers.com)

And here's how it got into the Macintosh (Lisa, really) interface, and from there to Windows:

http://www.folklore.org/StoryView.py?project=Macintosh&story=Do_It.txt&sortOrder=Sort%20by%20Date

The caption for buttons was originally "Do it" because they thought OK was too colloquial, but they changed it after seeing that users were confused by "Do it". Interesting to think what would be different if all of our computers said "Do it".

Wow, a lot of interesting feedback for my little tidbit of information! This group could do some damage on the Straight Dope! :-D

how about 'ok' has no meaning how about just maybe its a word that no one knows the true meaning off and have you not through that no one knows what it means

Hi! My name is emily and the actual OK came from a real word from the Greek language meaning ''OLA KALA'' (but in greek lettering). In Greek this means everything's good, which in english is what we mean when we say it!!!!! There's something i bet you didn't know!!!!

Actually, it was elfish for Octapus Knife which was used in the mermish tales of old england.

actually i don't know shit about anything. thanks for the rest about o.k. i must say though, i'd have to agree with emily because oll korrect just doesn't seem to cut it. ok? :D

I have heard that oK was used by army to mean "Zero Killed". Has somebody an information about that ?

All greek think is from greek language. Is in their culture to think that greek language is everywere in the world. But in this case is not true. All language studies say that ok stands from "oll correct" used in 19's.

Wow. You're all some fascinating people.
:)

"0 killed" is what I heard.. "0 K"

I also ear that is mean Cero Killed ,,,..

ive always wondered what the defenition 'ok' ment. then i thoguht i should look up the meaning 'ok' then i found out what it ment :)

hi mu name is JJ i and i was wondering what the meaniing for 'ok' and then i looked it up thanks for helping me :)

JJ xxo mwah

I don't say that ok comes from greek language but. The greeks thing that greek language is everywere in the world and the rest of the world think that greek language is nowere, and that is untrue....

Hello every body !! it's an interesting subeject, I heard that "O K" was actualy related to ancient batels !
the thery is that after a batel on a war batle field the chief would count the wounded and the dead, and if ther were no dead soldiers, he shouted "O K"
, that meant : 0 casualties .
I'm not a hundred poor cent shure thow !!!!
let me know !!!

ok = cero kills.

O.k. and not o.c., means ola kala. which means all right in english.
it came from greek immegrants who worked on bridge construction in Australia and also in th U.S.of america.they couldnt have the free time to talk to each other because of the hard work which made them work many hours so they used to write on cargos ok?to see if their friend at work was all right. and after they could see on the cargo the anser:o.k. .
its not bad that a language has expanded into other languages if needed. greeks have already in their language foreign words to use.
but it is bad to feel jealous about them and show that by diffence.
so, its o.k. , its a helpful word that in greek means ola kala which means all right fellows.so, if everything is o.k. why do some have a problem with that.
p.s. the word korrect is actually wrong...people use to write correct.
but, doesnt matter.anyway thats my point of view!!!

In Greek, O.K. is a correctly-spelled abbreviation for the expression, Ola Kala (Ὅλα Καλά, ΟΚ), "everything is fine", which has the same meaning as the American English "okay". It is possible that Greek sailors used Ola Kala in American ports. It is also said that "O.K." was written on the ships or other places to show that the ships are ready.