OK Full Form

"OK" is the most common word which is found in the English language. Linguistically, this word is relatively new, it is only 150 years old, and its origin can be traced back to the 19th century. OK originally appeared as an abbreviation for the phrase “Oll Korrect,” this was printed in a satirical article about grammar. This “Oll Korrect” is supposed to be “All Correct” in Modern English.

In this content, we will dive into details into the abbreviation ‘OK’. We will trace its origin further, know its usages and lots more.  

Full-Form of OK 

"OK" is the most common English words in the language of English. ‘OK’ full form is ‘Oll Korrect’. ‘OK’ full form in the English language may be one of the common words discovered, but its origin was literally new. In 19th century Boston, the abbreviation was originated almost 150 years back. The full meaning of OK is presumed to be ‘Oll Korrect’ or “All Correct”, which means everything is all correct, there is no need to rectify, or this can also mean one is agreeing to the terms laid by others. 

The invention of “OK” was not purposeful, rather it was an editorial joke. Later it went viral unintentionally and was used by common people as well. This began in the office of Charles Gordon Greene, Boston Morning Post, Good Magazine Writes.  It was in the year 1839, among the writer folk, the abbreviations were a rage (terms like LOLZ, OMG, or NBD today). "This trend," Good said, "produced many unsuccessful terms such as OW—and OK-like term for “all right” (all right) that flopped."

Long Form of OK and its Origin

OK as mentioned was an abbreviation for “Oll Korrect,” this was printed in a satirical article about grammar. The word's origins were not revealed before the 1960s, however, an etymologist named Allen Read did some research through the suggestions that the word might originate from Europe. Still, others wrongly believed that president Martin Van Buren had invented this “OK” term in his presidential campaign. In the election campaign, this was used as a slogan - "Vote for OK" the slogan was in reference to both his hometown and his nickname known as Old Kinderhook. But Van Buren was the one who popularized the term, while Read found, but not invented it. 

Read in his article showed "how, stage by stage, OK was spread throughout North America and the world to the moon, and then took on its new form AOK, first used by space people and frowned on by purists," the Economists writes. While there were some doubters who continued to insist that the word originated even earlier. He then put it in this fashion - We'll just have to be OK with never knowing for its absolute origin.

Meaning and Usage of OK

OK have variations in its own spelling. This includes okay, O.K., and also ok. Ok is an English word, more specifically American English. This English word denotes approval of the permission, acceptance of any condition, agreement with the facts, assent thereby, acknowledging a definite term or legal matter, or a sign of being indifferent. OK is moreover used as a single-used word. OK has been described as the most spoken or written word on earth.

OK priorly means "adequate" or "acceptable" the meaning acts in contrast to "bad" or “not acceptable”. Example: “The boss approved the mails, so it is OK to send out the e-mails. This also can be used to mean "mediocre" or “average” when used in contrast with the word "good". Example: "The fries were great, but the burger was just OK". It also serves as a similar role as an adverb, example: "Wow, you did OK for your first-time skiing!".

As an interjection word, this can also denote compliance, for example: "OK, I will do that" or agreeing to, for example: "OK, that is fine". It can also mean "providing assent to". Example: "the boss approved with an OK to the items purchased" or "the boss marked OK for the purchase". OK, also acts as an adjective, which is used as an expression of acknowledgement without approval, like to show doubt or in order to seek confirmation, example: "OK?", "Is that OK?". 

Other Popular Abbreviations Used in Boston

OK which stands for ‘oll korrect’, or ‘ole kurreck’, originates from an abbreviation that was in trend and was popularly used in Boston, MA, in the 1830s. While there are other popular abbreviations at that time like - NG, meaning ‘no go’, GT meaning ‘gone to Texas’, and SP meaning ‘small potatoes.’ 

Many of these abbreviations used in Boston were deliberately spelt incorrectly for the humorous effect. Like, a predecessor of OK was even OW (which is ‘oll wright’). OK gained its popularity when the supporters of the American Democratic political party stated the nickname of presidential candidate Martin Van Buren, as Old Kinderhook (abbreviated as OK) hence the slogan ran as ‘Vote for OK. This became a stylish campaign slogan that popularised the use of OK in the United States of America.