[23rd Mar] Today in History

The Birth of “OK”: Sarcasm Paves the Way for a Global Expression

The term “OK” was first documented on 23 March 1839 in the Boston Morning Post newspaper. The publication featured a satirical piece about a fictional group called the “Anti-Bell-Ringing Society”, which used comical misspellings and abbreviations, including “O.K.” as a stand-in for “oll korrect”, to mock the linguistic trends of that time.

An invention by a newspaper

Following its first appearance in the Boston Morning Post in 1839, “OK” rapidly gained popularity and became a widely-used term in the United States. Its widespread adoption can be attributed to the expansion of the telegraph system during the mid-19th century. Since telegraph messages incurred charges per word, operators often employed abbreviations and shorthand to save time and money. “OK”, conveying the meaning of “all correct” in just two letters, became a popular abbreviation among telegraph operators.

Is “Old Kinderhook” OK?

As the telegraph system expanded, the usage of “OK” proliferated in various contexts, including business, politics, and everyday conversation. The term was further popularised by historical events and cultural references. For instance, during Martin Van Buren’s presidency in the 1830s and 1840s, his nickname “Old Kinderhook” was abbreviated to “O.K.” on campaign posters and buttons, further disseminating the term.

Today, “OK” is acknowledged and employed worldwide, while its beginnings as a humorous misspelling of “all correct” in the Boston Morning Post have mostly faded from memory.

Did you know?

Thomas Edison worked in the telegraph industry early in his career. His contributions to telegraphs and related technologies significantly impacted the communications sector and played a crucial role in the development of modern telecommunications. His work on the telegraph and other inventions solidified his reputation as one of the most influential inventors of the 19th and early 20th centuries.