Anniversary of OK

Today in 1839, the expression "OK" was first used in print. It appeared in Boston Morning Post article about the Anti-Bell-Ringing Society. From Smithsonian (image: OK Krew 509):

Ever since, scholars have passionately and voluminously debated the etymology of the expression. Most likely it grew out of a fad in the 1830s, for comical misspellings and initialisms. One of those misspellings was "Oll Korrect."

"March 23, 1839: OK, OK, Already"

• [jowlsey]

  I’d like to know who thought expanding ‘OK’ into ‘Okay’ was a good idea.

• [karl_jones]

  “… the word “okay” comes from the Wolof wawkay meaning “by all means” or “certainly” . . .”

  – The Shockwave Rider by John Brunner

• [Anonymous]

  > a fad in the 1830s, for comical misspellings and initialisms.

  The fad iz back lol

• [Jeff]

  “Oll Korrect”. Sownds liek LOLspeek iz oldr then ai thawt.

• [Ipo]

  International OKs

  * Native American Choctaw: Okeh – it is so
  * Scottish: Och aye – oh yes
  * Greek: Ola kala – all is right
  * German: ohne Korrektur – without [need for] correction
  * Finnish: Oikea – correct
  * Mandinka: O ke – that’s it

  Here’s the full story:
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12503686

• [jphilby]

  (Dave:)Alright you Chipmunks, Ready to sing your song?
  (Alvin:)I’d say we are
  (Theodore:)Yeah, Lets sing it now!
  (Dave:)Okay, Simon?
  (Simon:)OK
  (Dave:)Okay, Theodore?
  (Theodore:)OK
  (Dave:)Okay Alvin?…Alvin?…ALVIN!!!
  (Alvin:)OKAY!!

• [Phikus]

  Some people say its alright, but I think its just so so. Go ask an Oklahoman.

• [george57l]

  Please, no. Not another “etymology of OK” thread. OK?

  • [Ant]

    OK! :P

• [Anonymous]

  This does nothing at all, however, to explain “okey dokey”.

  • [klobouk]

    A phrase was required that would rhyme with “artichokey.”