Why we say “OK”

How a cheesy joke from the 1830s became the most widely spoken word in the world.
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OK is thought to be the most widely recognized word on the planet. We use it to communicate with each other, as well as our technology. But it actually started out as a language fad in the 1830’s of abbreviating words incorrectly.
Young intellectuals in Boston came up with several of these abbreviations, including “KC” for “knuff ced,” “OW” for “oll wright,” and KY for “know yuse.” But thanks to its appearance in Martin Van Buren’s 1840 presidential re-election campaign as the incumbents new nickname, Old Kinderhook, OK outlived its abbreviated comrades.
Later, widespread use by early telegraph operators caused OK to go mainstream, and its original purpose as a neutral affirmative is still how we use it today.
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[@Vox]

Another popular false origin of OK comes from the American Civil War (1861-1865) which says that soldiers returning from battle would report "0K" (zero killed). And there's a few from around the world, too. Like the Greek "όλα καλά (óla kalá) which means "all good," the Scottish "och aye," which means "oh yes," and even a French-named seaport in Haiti, Aux Cayes. While these are all pretty interesting and might indicate why "OK" was so easily adapted into language worldwide, none of them can actually be traced in their influence the way "oll korrect" can. Neat. - Coleman

[@ikemarthlinkrich]

I knew the 0 kill was bs, cause it doesn't make sense Like it makes less sense than the naming of Twitch emotes

[@annafilou]

I'm Greek and was told that O.K. came from Greek people who would send packages to their relatives in America or other countries and would write OK on them as a code that all was well back home. I never believed it 100% but always thought there's a good chance it's true because "all good" is pretty much the meaning of OK.

[@MrSkopelos27]

I finished watching the video, scrolled down to post a comment about us Greeks claiming that the origin is Greek and lo and behold, you have mentioned it. Nice.

[@shet0011]

But then why do people write "okay"?

[@MrMisanthrope_]

@@shet0011 OK or okay???

[@anchorbubba]

Are you telling me that "ok" is a meme made by ye olde shitposters

[@hehe12748]

Ye boai

[@breadking2601]

👌🏻

[@MusicNPeace]

History repeats...

[@odette4059]

idk y i laughed at this😂

[@diyhappiness9517]

Indeed

[@teixeira476]

so a meme in 1830 became the most used word in the world

[@keithotinkorang802]

Teixeira lol

[@rayenkiwi]

And that's the power of memes even before the Internet

[@hicclesilly]

Teixeira next will come yeet

[@Darcyyyyyyyyyyy]

And on the moon😆

[@audreywhalen5141]

twosquirrelly you know that’s not how it works right? English was not the first language, and I doubt that’s how language was created.

[@NoriMori1992]

"Okay" is a magical word. It transcends language barriers. You could watch a movie in almost any language and still hear the word "okay". It requires no translation. You might not know how to say "yes" or "no" in another language, but you always know how to say "okay".

[@treebit]

окей

[@justanotherupscaspirant8837]

None of the 3 other languages i speak uses the Latin alphabet. Still you say 'Okay' and everybody understands it. We even write it in our scripts, though not that popular. So yeah, 'Okay' is freaking universal

[@Dwight784]

​@@JamesXylight everyone that speaks hebrew knows ok, stop the nonsense

[@JamesXylight]

@@Dwight784 I just realized that "okay" and "ok" are different

[@halloweenfan158]

@@JamesXylightthey are the same word

[@6598102743]

So how did we end up with the notion that “okay” is the technically correct spelling of ok? I need a sequel to this video

[@1ia802]

i feel like any lengthening of a word just makes it seem more formal, plus we shorten words a lot in the english language but lengthen it to their actual spelling for more professional use. (bro) i guess since the origins were confused and people didnt really professionally type with abbreviations people just thought to legnthen it to a "real word"

[@christophercooper6731]

You just need somebody to tell you that *both* are technically correct spellings of okay.

[@thebettafish3239]

@@christophercooper6731 Ok :)

[@sweetestaphrodite]

@@1ia802 Noooo. The more formal spelling of 'ok'/'okay' has always been O.K. I see that kind of spelling in important pieces of writing.

[@1ia802]

@@sweetestaphrodite no i know that lol but like people texting try to be more polite by saying okay instead of ok

[@autismobinch135]

In 2126 “Why do we ‘lul’”

[@stevienguyen2047]

The REALLY funny thing is that is totally plausible.

[@FiSH-iSH]

Ikr lol

[@beatboxcentral776]

42069: Why do we not use boomer?

[@ikiuia7804]

Phil Ochs it’s lol

[@kafir1337]

@@ikiuia7804 lul

[@ajinkyadekhane1788]

KZbin at 3 am: Wanna know why we say Ok? Me: Ok.

[@auroralee]

I'm back after this "Ok Boomer" nightmare. Seems appropriate

[@lolopcallulu3082]

Lol me.

[@AcrobattAustralia]

What if it’s spelt “okay”

[@diaazalayna9123]

@@AcrobattAustralia emm...🤔 ....ok!

[@sooryaprakash6390]

True!

[@csgaiao33]

I'm pretty sure that the word "OK" exists in almost every language. It's fascinating how universal it is.

[@tammyt3434]

"Annie are you OK? Are you OK, Annie?" This clip from the song especially shows how recognizable the word is. First responders in CPR and First Aid classes are often trained to immediately ask "Are you OK." Not 'all right' or 'awake' or 'hurt', but 'OK' because a non-English speaking victim will likely recognize the word.

[@WarpRulez]

So "OK" is one of the oldest memes that have survived to this day.

[@incorrecteingave857]

Well memes have always been around. The word "meme" is just new.

[@ishant2009]

@@incorrecteingave857 meme is also a very old word

[@incorrecteingave857]

@@ishant2009 How old?

[@notthemlgtom494]

Nahh throwing pommel is the oldest meme.

[@adapple7518]

language is a meme

[@morepower1415]

150 Years from now. Future : Why do we say LOL?

[@ard-janvanetten1331]

This is already a normal word in dutch

[@cybersyngang6247]

For any historians: It's from the Dutch word "lol" obviously. It means "fun."

[@bluecollarmenproductions]

Lawwwwwl

[@potatochips5282]

It took texting to get people today to do the same thing..lol

[@adrimay]

CyberSynGang lol stands for laughing out loud

[@ZiIIionaire]

That dude who wrote "ok" on Boston morning post should get a Noble peace prize and Most influential person award

[@heyborttheeditor1608]

This video is wrong. Okay actually comes from the Choctaw word “okeh” look at Jim Fay’s PhD work in 2007

[@roxii7190]

So basically an inside joke turned into a meme that defined history. That's kool

[@apostlediorr]

I’m so glad we got “ok” instead of “ac”

[@users9722]

All correct😂

[@millie_0]

Ac

[@theAcum]

Or "AK"

[@greenme770]

Air conditioner

[@DiggyPT]

@@greenme770 thats what i was thinking

[@bhaweshthapa4672]

18th Century: Oll Korrect 19th Century: OK 20th Century: Okay 21st Century: K

[@caltheuntitled8021]

It started in the 1830s, which would mean it started in the 19th century

[@yesnoyeswait4306]

2200: People are too tired to even say k.

[@caltheuntitled8021]

@A They literally said in the video that the fad of misspelling things and then abbreviating it started in the 1830s. Presumably, people would have written and said “all correct” before then, if anything.

[@caltheuntitled8021]

@A Unless the deliberate misspelling has history beyond the trend of misspelled abbreviations in the 1800s (which would have had to existed exclusively in print), “oll korrect” wouldn’t have existed at all prior to the abbreviation.

[@caltheuntitled8021]

@A Exactly, OK and “Oll Korrect” were created at the same time, and that time was the 1830s, or the 19th century.

[@marioa6186]

I remember a moment where I was struck with the importance of this word. When I was in a small rural town here in México and at the grocery store, the owner, a +60 year old man with not a gram of english language. He used OK in his own internal monologue, not even thinking about it. It kind of got me thinking about the origins of this word and how its is now part or every language.

[@heyborttheeditor1608]

This video is wrong. Okay actually comes from the Choctaw work “okeh” look at Jim Fay’s PhD work in 2007

[@J0seph13]

​@@heyborttheeditor1608*word

[@funki4896]

O.K. = ohne Korrektur (="without correction" in German). German editors used this abbreviation when checking articles for newspapers. I read this in another book about German words that are used in other languages like Kaffeepaussi ("coffee" break) in Finnish, Brandmauer (firewall) in Russian, Dach (roof) in Ukrainian, le Waldsterben (forest death) in French, le Neinsager (someone who says no) in Swiss French and so on.

[@heyborttheeditor1608]

Okay actually comes from the Choctaw word “okeh” look at Jim Fay’s PhD work in 2007

[@dantoxism8538]

So it was just a meme that got taken too far

[@hcrdfju4954]

Dantoxism a 18xx "meme"

[@BothHands1]

Yup lol

[@connorp3030]

Since memes were just banned I wonder if we'll be able to say "ok" in Europe

[@jag3596]

No, it was a meme that died so hard, normies are still using it hundreds of years later.

[@SweetCupcakeBetty]

Hahaha, you re right

[@adriangabriellabadan626]

Me: I want some mind blowing facts Vox: OK

[@chilelimon3397]

Lmao underrated comment

[@adriangabriellabadan626]

Marissa Bustamante thanks mate, have a nice day 👍

[@brandyf1932]

Ha ha, good one!

[@brandyf1932]

@@adriangabriellabadan626 Ok mate!!

[@LeonardoRiglietti]

This comment is pure genius

[@bellabrieeee]

I love videos like these that explain in detail things we usually wonder all the time

[@heyborttheeditor1608]

This video is wrong. Okay actually comes from the Choctaw word “okeh” look at Jim Fay’s PhD work in 2007

[@miken2716]

You are right this “word” now features heavily in languages across the world. I had looked in the past, out of idle curiosity, and found very little substantive explanation of the origins. This is really very interesting. I might suggest the two world wars with the movement of US troops around the world help to spread its use.

[@popcornpretzel6720]

I think "Knuff Ced" was the most unexpected part of this video

[@iamjcastt]

😂😂

[@whatrtheodds]

That's true OW.

[@prettygreenmaiden8793]

Yeah, these old dudes had style

[@ickeausberlin36]

Gives a whole nother meaning to KFC.

[@EknonCo]

ickeausberlin36 Knuff Fokken' Ced!

[@tatsumaki7707]

vox : we are running out of ideas me : ok vox : yes.

[@succme1229]

its actually a really interesting case of linguistics.

[@retardpillprovider492]

WRITE THAT DOWN!!!!!

[@user-nj9uo6ql2f]

ok

[@fliegendeluftwaffeli835]

Vox be like: Oh my gott, what an idea! Why didn't I think of that?

[@Hollowdude15]

The word OK is so amazing and great video Vox :]

[@JackebBee-iz7qi]

Is vox as strong as he purports? Or is it based on his supports?

[@joshuajason7944]

Can you imagine when you back to the time where "ok" not exist and then you say "ok" to someone

[@TheNewTravel]

Ok

[@sherls918]

Ok

[@bluecandle4327]

Ok

[@Nugcon]

Ok

[@kakao2273]

ok

[@rvcpcy2827]

ok

[@alexniggins1799]

Kids: OK Adults: Okay Legends: K Ultra Legends: Kay Gods: _Oll KoRReCt_

[@TRXLLGE]

Even further beyond : Boomer

[@cielphantomhive7368]

How about Otey? 😂

[@TheMogul23]

You forgot the level above Gods. Scots: Och Aye.

[@sreejanthakur8410]

Me:potassium

[@chuckmcmicheal558]

Me: whatever..

[@KnappKnits]

That's so interesting. I always wondered. It's fascinating to know that silly language fads were coming into use so long ago.

[@shineeverse]

after watching these kind of videos, I feel like I know everything

[@torkamarinum]

So "OK" is an old meme?.. OK

[@2Kaleb]

The oldest of old

[@illmalice9089]

First meme?

[@kyanysh3170]

Would the oldest meme be the idea of forming groups of people? That would cover tribes and maybe early to modern civ

[@bimbo9334]

_Vintage memes_

[@nasheetahmed]

Yes

[@comments6482]

And I thought O.K. was a shortcut for 'okay'

[@rigobertogarza7945]

I think it is

[@TarigonTetradactyl]

okey

[@catatonicbug7522]

That's backward. Okay is the phonetic, full spelling of what appears to English speakers as an acronym. "OK" came first, and people tried to make it into a "full" word with extra letters.

[@bubbly7137]

Okay is the long cut for ok 😂

[@pjruff1453]

I really hope it just kidding😂

[@bradleygrant981]

Very interesting! Well worth the time spent watching this; thanks for the video.

[@Fvnction]

You say: *OK* I say: *Okay* _we are not the same_

[@colltonrighem]

So, OK was basically an ancient meme.

[@nitishsaxena1372]

1800s isn't really 'ancient'.

[@colltonrighem]

Nitish Saxena It certainly is in the sense of memes.

[@nitishsaxena1372]

@@colltonrighem I remember it like yesterday.

[@Lika_Cha]

And probably every word made in today's generation will be considered as an *ancient meme* later on the future

[@garywilliams6124]

@@colltonrighem ancient for a meme is like 4 years, for one that is centuries old, I would say "primordial"

[@scottandrada5827]

This whole time I thought OK was shorthand for Okay, but OK preceded okay

[@paperblackwriter]

exactly what i was thinking

[@raykellysiler8759]

I wish it would have explained why the “ay” was added.

[@RasakBlood]

@@raykellysiler8759 Because its english. If anything is spelled as it sounds or is just simple and easy to learn then it must be destroyed and several seemingly random letters added for no reason.

[@shehannanayakkara4162]

Same reason people sometimes say emcee and deejay instead of MC and DJ.

[@yeriina4198]

Ok

[@davidlg571]

A second part of this video explaining why it is also the most recognisable and used word in so many different languages would be amazing.

[@cleinberger]

I actually wondered where it came from. THANK YOU!

[@Huskie]

So you're telling me OK was created by a meme

[@thecrap17yearsago35]

Huskie no ok is a meme 💯 😂😂

[@phil_cassidy]

Every single idea that can be passed on from one person to another is a meme.

[@jvrbwn6232]

Ok

[@Jayfive276]

Language is a meme. It's understanding by the sharing of information.

[@heheeheahaha5948]

Huskie Have you even watched this video?

[@xXHatsuneMikuFanXx]

are you _oll korrect?_

[@creathechiboi]

Yep

[@creathechiboi]

Oll korrect

[@TheDeadMeme27]

rei LOL yes.

[@jaskii6879]

No. You are all all left

[@jaskii6879]

"X X X X"

[@seanwebb605]

Oh the tone and inflection used when saying those two letters conveys so much. Especially if a teenager says it and adds and eyerolls. Like OK.....eyeroll.....boomer. I prefer alrighty then or okely dokely.

[@peecee1384]

One of the most interesting videos I have ever seen.

[@andrewglinski4722]

150 years from now: “Why do We Say ‘LOL’”

[@nir_stern02]

It's short for lollygagging which means spending time doing things that are not useful or serious. It's mistakenly believed to be abbreviations of Laughing Out Loud but that was proven to be false by the Urban Dictionary entry dating to 2010 BCE written by the renowned author xx_p*ssyslayer69420_xx

[@SerenityFeueropal]

I have a feeling ASAP might be a more likely candidate.

[@nir_stern02]

@@SerenityFeueropal ASAP is a misspelled combination of the words "hey sup" which were used as an informal version of the greeting "hello". The reason it was used as an encouragement word to hasten a certain task was that the short yet informal nature of the word conveyed the lack of time and the need to hurry in a friendly fashion to show the other person that you trust him to complete this task at time as if he's your friend

[@carlosalvarez4994]

YOLO

[@nir_stern02]

@@carlosalvarez4994 YOLO is a compound word of "you low" which means "you're aiming low" to inform someone that you think his ambitions are to low and that he should dare to do now with his life, often by doing so yourself

[@josh-hx5iw]

Hi how are you? Me: *OLL KORRECT*

[@Residentlyevil0]

Lol, my thoughts exactly

[@symoneontheinternet]

I'm gonna start saying that now xD

[@andrewglinski4722]

Oll Korrect, that was pretty funny.

[@elemenopi9239]

Oll Korrect, This is epic.

[@magicknight13]

What an excellent video!!

[@kumarmaanx]

Will never see OK the same again.

[@heyborttheeditor1608]

This video is wrong. Okay actually comes from the Choctaw word “okeh” look at Jim Fay’s PhD work in 2007

[@malicious_333]

I am no longer saying "OK" from this day forward I shall say "Oll Korrect"

[@parthmaulik]

Ok

[@IdaeChop]

Ok xoomer

[@slendykidslenderkid3185]

Ok

[@IdaeChop]

@HQ Night ok aommer

[@mariafe7050]

oll korrect

[@mrcheesecake2189]

the writers at vox take their shower thoughts to a whole new level

[@Gentapi5]

I hate to be this person but *their

[@Rydrew05]

@@Gentapi5 ok

[@bait5257]

@@Rydrew05 ok

[@lookaschewa9917]

Ok

[@mimurosoop784]

@@bait5257 ok

[@angiwaggoner9865]

I appreciate the little clip from Mtv's The State!!

[@mofukocest7057]

I've never thought about this question before but its good to know more about the word I frequently spoke!!

[@AuChoco]

*Mentions how K used to replace C's in advertising* Me: Oh, so THAT'S why it's spelt the Krusty Krab

[@hayosiko9119]

Sponge Boy Me Bob!

[@ThatDamnRaccoon]

MORTAL KOMBAT

[@devanshuanada5786]

Vox : Here's a ton of information about OK Me : OK.

[@danielphendarko2651]

Ok

[@saltymarshmallow1932]

Ok

[@savethetrees702]

Ok

[@shinyboy7777]

Ok

[@chrono-glitchwaterlily8776]

Ok

[@CalvinBaughman]

Short, simple, fast... Ok! I'm so into those curiosities, that's awesome!

[@crying2emoji5]

I’ve wondered about this for yearrssss

[@InglesFN]

Weird flex but “ok”

[@GLAIVEDEVIL]

YoNo oof

[@luziastern5410]

weird flex, but oll korrect

[@SkzCarteruwu]

YoNo yeet

[@spooky4110]

Ko

[@fuckno.]

yu a real one.

[@milkysandwich9479]

Everyone: "Me an intellectual: Oll Korrect" Me an intellectual: •• -•-

[@rejiix]

OK boomer

[@quanduong2754]

@@rejiix ok millennial

[@emilianz1354]

•• -•- -••• - - - - - - - - • • - •

[@burg3rdud33]

I keep reading these as "Mean intellectual" because people refuse to use commas

[@someone.6259]

Oll korrect boomer

[@Iku00]

I shall start saying Oll Korrect to sound smart starting today

[@airotiv7916]

I love this so much ♥️

[@socknetea]

So ok is basically a historic meme

[@100Grand4eva]

My thoughts exactly

[@willsuttie3683]

? All words are.

[@narwhal5447]

OK

[@eldermillennial8330]

Will Suttie Mmm, not quite. If I have Dawkins thesis on the matter pegged, the difference between a meme word and a regular one, is that regular ones have no conscience, pinpointable origin, they just evolved very slowly over enormous spans of time. A meme is a deliberate, initially inorganic fashion inserted into the cultural zeitgeist That THEN becomes an organic force with lasting power.

[@Lexender]

@@eldermillennial8330 No, a meme being a meme comes from the spreading, wheter it was created with an intention or not, as long as it has the capacity of self replication it is a meme. So yeah all words are actually memes.

[@-maya-6498]

imagine being an ✨intellectual✨ from the 1830s and sharing a joke about a made up abbreviation to your friend in boston, unknowing that you just made one of the most popular words in english

[@cats4ever416]

-ˏˋ mayaaa ˎˊ- Its also a word in Hebrew , and in most spoken languages

[@chillimitski243]

Just in english ? I am Brazilian and I always say ok when I am speaking my language

[@miah5050]

It’s the most common used word in the WORLD

[@stevienguyen2047]

Most popular word in human history*

[@sadkaori5678]

Same here in german

[@ayushanand256]

30 seconds into the video my mind started to doubt the existence of OK.

[@danellboy5757]

A question I never thought about always turns out to be the most interesting.

[@AChunkyDog]

Everyone says "oll korrect boomer" But no one asks, "are you oll korrect, boomer?" 3/18/24: woah what was I doing 4 years ago

[@PrinceKashyap.]

Cause Boomers are Boomers. They don't deserve to be asked😤 (btw, looks like I'm a Boomer too😞)

[@AChunkyDog]

@@PrinceKashyap. I still don't understand the generational blame game.

[@PrinceKashyap.]

@@AChunkyDog I feel u mate, even I don't get it. But it's all just a meme, so don't wrap your head around it. Just enjoy the silliness and take a good laugh😃

[@dr.kj10]

Prince Kashyap boomer isnt a meme , its an actual use. People born near WWII Were called baby Boomers. Because “Boom” Ment like “Bomb boom” Its just a common term for old. Its the Boomer Humour thats funny

[@PrinceKashyap.]

@@dr.kj10 Ok Baby-boomer😊

[@Obi-Wan_Kenobi]

1830's slang was lit, KC.

[@nerfthis8744]

KY good sir

[@shafwandito4724]

It's OW sir.

[@alazrabed]

KC indeed.

[@LSK2K]

LK

[@ben10trillion]

HG,High Ground

[@ericlamar6298]

Superbly done.

[@GloFreak]

Strongbad!!!! I cannot believe this video referenced Homestar Runner at the beginning. It's even from the Trogdor episode. OMG. I am so happy. 😂😂😂❤❤

[@701elie]

A couple of boiz who took a meme way too far

[@mathcrazyow6646]

Then deep fried words

[@josk8319]

what they did was Korrect

[@jetlaeg4046]

@@josk8319 it was Oll Korrekt

[@josk8319]

@@jetlaeg4046 shush child

[@mrclueuin]

LOL 😄

[@sri6567]

“The Krave for K is a visual strategy” The kadarshians did research before naming their daughters huh

[@foxymetroid]

No. I'm pretty sure they thought that's how the name was actually spelled.

[@thatuglything1347]

Sri 😂😂 i just realised that

[@ubertuber66]

Well researched!

[@joaoromanopires]

I just heard a co-worker saying "ok" as I'm watching this video haha, and I'm from Portugal. Truly a universal word.

[@dumbenbypride9151]

I guess I’ll start saying “Oll korrect”

[@hairyputter5363]

Ok

[@joksizantos7520]

Ok

[@MoskusMoskiferus1611]

Ja

[@Janeru]

Oll korrect.

[@deleted8937]

Ok

[@homework4921]

The biggest meme out there was hiding under our noses this hole time

[@thatguyman6044]

K

[@kir3167]

exaxtly what i thought too lol

[@lepiee]

ok

[@addisondavis8646]

i love videos like this

[@artishzone]

replied with "Ok" to the "cut it out" in the end

[@hdihiiehei]

in year 2069 : why we “UwU”

[@inox1ck]

John Bradley DID SOMEONE SAY UwU?!

[@aesxop]

owo what’s this?

[@RyanCya]

Aesxop that would be an owo

[@aesxop]

Jelloette ok thanks👍

[@yoshiblade7555]

can we do that NOW

[@mattronimus]

So back in the 1800's memes didn't die within a week??

[@wadeb5042]

mattronimus most of them prob did. It’s cultural evolution; survival of the fittest. Whichever memes are most fit tend to survive over time.

[@fuma1908]

😂😂😂😂

[@Gardor]

I mean the dab is also still alive for some reason

[@Ranstone]

Also, we tend to pretend memes are dead just because we get annoyed with them. no matter how much we try and convince ourselves, it's been a year, and "Do you kno de wey?" is still alive. X(

[@spooky4110]

So back in 1800 they said lol?

[@Shembazarki]

This was shockingly awesome

[@calqlated4506]

The word "okay" may appear unassuming, a simple acknowledgement or affirmation in everyday conversation. However, beneath its surface lies a rich tapestry of meanings, contexts, and implications that render it a fascinating and versatile linguistic tool. The utterance of "okay" is often accompanied by nuances, revealing a spectrum of responses. It can convey agreement, compliance, or a willingness to cooperate. In such cases, it signals a green light, an endorsement that sets a situation in motion. Imagine a team meeting where decisions are being made, and upon agreement, someone nods and says, "Okay." In this context, "okay" carries the weight of consensus, demonstrating unity and progress. Conversely, "okay" can express hesitation or reluctance. It might be a way of conceding to a situation, albeit not enthusiastically. Picture a scenario where a friend proposes an activity you're not particularly fond of, and you respond with a half-hearted "okay." Here, it signifies a lack of enthusiasm, an acceptance tinged with reluctance. Moreover, the tone and inflection with which "okay" is delivered can dramatically alter its meaning. A cheerful and enthusiastic "Okay!" can denote eagerness, excitement, or readiness, adding energy and positivity to a conversation. Conversely, a monotonous or disinterested "okay" might signify indifference or disengagement, potentially implying disinterest or a lack of investment in the topic at hand. The versatility of "okay" also extends to its role in diffusing tension or conflict. Imagine a heated argument where one party asserts their point vehemently, and the other responds with a calm "okay." In this context, "okay" can function as a neutralizing force, a signal that the conversation need not escalate further, perhaps offering a moment to step back and reassess the situation. Additionally, the brevity and simplicity of "okay" make it universally accessible. Its usage transcends language barriers and cultural divides, rendering it a universally recognized expression of acknowledgment or affirmation. Regardless of one's native language, a simple "okay" is easily understood, fostering effective communication and understanding across diverse settings and contexts. In the digital era, "okay" has also found its place in written communication, often abbreviated to "K" in text messages or online chats. This condensed version has become commonplace, especially in the fast-paced world of digital interactions, reflecting a modern evolution of language that maintains the core essence of acknowledgment or agreement. In conclusion, the seemingly modest word "okay" is a linguistic marvel, encompassing a spectrum of meanings and implications. From agreement and cooperation to reluctance and indifference, "okay" adapts and evolves to suit the diverse contexts of human interaction. Its brevity, universality, and adaptability make it a crucial tool in effective communication, underscoring the rich and multifaceted nature of language.

[@QuackersMcCrackers]

OK

[@kaizipaul]

So OK is an eternal meme?

[@Quantumsomething]

I'd say yes

[@blixxyn]

:0

[@gwyn.]

OK

[@user-ti2xi9bd4u]

Ok

[@robinchesterfield42]

Yep. Meme that went mainstream. Technically ANY cultural idea that spreads counts as a (successful) meme, including stuff like "how to make fire" and "the wheel". But in the modern, slangy sense of the word "meme"? Yeah, "OK" is totally one of those.

[@fdb1539]

damn bro. we've been meming for centuries

[@Andre-ld5xu]

Estradist ok

[@cheeto4869]

Im so proud

[@melonheaded]

humans been memeing since the beginning of civilization :)

[@tissuepaper9962]

What do you think trifold paintings are man? The medieval version of like a tier 3 meme.

[@tbg008]

There is nothing new under the sun ! Everything we have today existed one way or another since the frist civilizations, even before the end of the ice age.

[@JustinaSolomon1]

"It goes back to an 1830's fad of...." I died 😂😂😂😂😂

[@SlicedSlappy]

To be there during the start of OK is wild.

[@alberteinsteinthejew]

So this is actually a 1800s viral meme that stuck forever!

[@jonultime]

Probably how LOL is gonna in 100 years

[@gabrielborjas7923]

Michael McNamara hahaha trueee

[@neomcdoom]

Yep

[@ajdhjaoakdn2ndgoogleaccoun929]

Papa bless

[@twoods265]

Gabriel Borjas Garcia don’t you mean lol?

[@ball8848]

It's legit just a meme

[@ThatsPrettyFunnyMan]

what kind of meme lasts more than 2 weeks?

[@rednexo4903]

Rondo true most a week

[@ubberJakerz]

look up the legit definition of meme, by Richard Dawkins coinage.

[@Raxilla]

Those 19th century dandies wwould have felt right at home in Modern Kekistan.

[@robinj9510]

Rondo robbie rotten

[@johncobraconney7153]

great video thank you.

[@artemisbond9923]

Fancy Doods in 1830: “LOL Insider Abbreviations!” The entire world 190 years later: 👌

[@jadetylahoff]

That's why people get so nervous when people just say "K" because we don't know whether *OLL* is korrect...it is just *korrect* .

[@withcheesepls]

nunjoon k

[@dominicdy727]

Ok

[@tad1706]

K

[@madesatya.k8275]

K

[@NasRashdi]

k

[@SilverKnight124]

"OK" the longest living meme

[@zacharytaylor2983]

Soft Taco “Goodbye” might hold that title. It began in Early Modern English as a written shorthand for the common parting phrase: “god be with ye” “God Be With Ye” God B Wi’ Ye God BW Ye Goodbye

[@dirtyasianmafia2310]

Zachary Taylor o - but goodbye doesn't have much universal meaning. Goodbye wasn't really slang. It's just a shortened word

[@emersonb1664]

| || || | _

[@n1nj4l1nk]

Tool use, farming and religion are all memes...

[@mcgoldenblade4765]

@@emersonb1664 Stop

[@anoniemuss824]

And here I thought ok was just short for okay.

[@jsk8snrich1]

Good video, as usual, Coleman!

[@koen388]

u telling me ok isn't an abbreviation of the word okay

[@superbere]

Okay is the abbreviation OK written with more letters.

[@thewalrus5198]

"Okay" is the pretentious way to spell it

[@hyperandfriends3039]

yo what

[@chrismofer]

@@thewalrus5198 Okay boomer

[@danialwahab]

2018: Why we say "OK" 2050: Why we say "Oof" 2100: Why we say "E"

[@angelilachica5231]

Danial W. I think for that last one you meant “O”

[@srishtilakhotia8832]

E?

[@josephhugotjiong6741]

2115: why we say "Yeet"

[@josephhugotjiong6741]

@@srishtilakhotia8832 its a meme, that died a year ago

[@srishtilakhotia8832]

@@josephhugotjiong6741 yeah, but what does (or did) it mean?

[@quirkygreece]

The Greek for "All Good" is Ολα Καλα, pronounced Ola Kala. I've always believed this to be the root of the abbreviated , OK.

[@haitiancreolewithluciano]

This is so awesome! OK is universal

[@thisisaksu]

So it was a meme THAT SURVIVED... This... changes *EVERYTHING!*

[@eobardthawne3333]

Okay,

[@markg8125]

pewdiepie should review it

[@Hrrocker40]

It’ll die

[@bcubed72]

I thought all memes eventually took an arrow to the knee?

[@unvergebeneid]

I'd like to put one of those cheeky Bostonians who invented it into a time machine. It'd probably blow his mind to see their stupid joke _everywhere_ :D

[@kar7u]

I wonder if any of our current memes will be an integral part of language in a few hundred years

[@kataklysmus7460]

In a sense, lol has pretty much lost it's original meaning yet stays relevant in many forms and uses. Definitely not as big as ok but it is one of the words that has changed the most thanks to technology

[@davisland1344]

Yeet

[@CeciliaLopez-ce6tc]

@@kataklysmus7460 and it is also used in many languages, so it's kinda happening the same that happened with ok

[@kenfany1]

Yeet

[@dourrookierookie775]

Bruh

[@leekspinner]

something about making an alternative language by misspelling words is so much fun

[@user-vq7br2jh2b]

Using this for my next class!!!

[@Red777Ghost]

Vox is the dude in class that corrects the teacher

[@LUCKY-lf2jv]

Mt. me yup

[@jaimehernandez8535]

vox: *raises hand* ackchyually

[@LUCKY-lf2jv]

Tasking Ooksse I did not want to go there

[@newenglandgreenman]

I did that😁

[@Abhi-cb7eh]

OK is a never ending meme.

[@musicman8345]

The only meme in history that has never died.

[@ImSandwich]

@@musicman8345 I'm guessing you've never heard of LOSS

[@john_voske]

Well, seen as the EU has passed article 13 now, it might just suddenly come to its end after all

[@fireshockgamer6734]

@@john_voske Nah it's *to* embedded I can't even make myself stop saying ok. You try srsly

[@ThatsPrettyFunnyMan]

the secret recipe for the greatest - longest running meme of all time is buried with it's maestro. godbless the first meme master for this quirky yet dankest meme.

[@guysabol8743]

Okie Dokie came around 1920 or so, and it WAS OK to say, and life goes on