About Middletown - OK Barber Shop

OK Barber Shop

Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown Community
Forum Name: About Middletown
Forum Description: History and information about Middletown, Ohio
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1891
Printed Date: May 04 2024 at 12:05pm

Topic: OK Barber Shop

Posted By: Vivian Moon
Subject: OK Barber Shop
Date Posted: Sep 06 2009 at 4:36pm

What is the origin of the word 'OK'?...Thanks Vivian

There have been numerous attempts to explain the emergence of this curious colloquial expression, which seems to have swept into popular use in the US during the mid-19th century. Most of them are undoubtedly pure speculation. It does not seem at all likely, from the linguistic and historical evidence, that it derives from the Scots expression 'och aye', the Greek ola kala ('it is good'), the Choctaw Indian oke or okeh ('it is so'), the French aux Cayes ('from Cayes', a port in Haiti with a reputation for good rum) or au quai ('to the quay', as supposedly used by French-speaking dockers), or the initials of a railway freight agent called Obediah Kelly who is said to have written them on lading documents he had checked.

The oldest written references to 'OK' result from its adoption as a slogan by the Democratic party during the American Presidential election of 1840. Their candidate, President Martin Van Buren, was nicknamed 'Old Kinderhook' (after his birthplace in New York State), and his supporters formed the 'OK Club'.

The only other theory with at least a degree of plausibility is that the term originated among Black slaves of West African origin, and represents a word meaning 'all right, yes indeed' in various West African languages. Unfortunately, historical evidence enabling the origin of this expression to be finally and firmly established may be hard to unearth

Replies:

Posted By: Hermes
Date Posted: Sep 06 2009 at 10:12pm

I'll go with the Choctaw oke. Makes more sense than the rest.

Wakan Tankan Nici Un....May the great spirit walk with you-Cherokee

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No more democrats no more republicans,vote Constitution Party !!