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I have seen the 'old Kinderhook' (NY region of President Martin Van Buren) explanation in a history book, related as if it were settled historical fact. But apparently the origins of 'ok' and 'okay' are still in dispute. https://www.merriam-webster.com/word...ory-of-ok-okay
I also saw in that same history book a claim that the word 'gringo' came from the Mexican-American war (approx 1846). It was said that volunteer US soldiers from Kentucky or Tennessee (I forget which) sang a song "Green Grow the Lilacs," which became 'gringo.'
But if you do a search of 'gringo origin,' that appears to be hotly disputed as well. I always find it interesting that things like this from relatively recent history are in such dispute.
When I was little, I asked my school teacher Grandmother to spell it for me. That's how she spelled it.
She said the word wasn't proper English and wasn't to be used when writing, only in speech.
When I was little, I asked my school teacher Grandmother to spell it for me. That's how she spelled it.
She said the word wasn't proper English and wasn't to be used when writing, only in speech.
The MW link above does mention 'okeh'--says that it is of Choctaw origin. It also gives this quote from Louisa May Alcott, 150 years ago:
Quote:
One of us must marry well. Meg didn't, Jo won't, Beth can't yet, so I shall, and make everything okay all round.
— Little Women, 1868-9
Terms from various languages that sound similar to 'okay' in English. For example:
from the Scots - 'och aye' (yes, indeed)
from Choctaw-Chickasaw, 'okah' (it is indeed)
from Greek, 'ola kala' ( everything is well)
from Finnish, 'oikea' (correct, exact)
from Mandingo, 'O ke', (certainly)
A shortened version of 'Oll Korrect', used by President Andrew Jackson when initialing papers
'Old Kinderhook' - nickname of President Martin van Buren.
'Aux quais' - the mark put on bales of cotton in Mississippi river ports.
'0 killed' - the report of the night's death toll during the First World War.
'Orl Korrect' - military reporting indicating troops were in good order.
etc, etc.
This has to be closest definition to OK
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