question for retlaw..

[groove]

Hello Walter, last night me and a friend were discussing the origins of certain phrases etc. we got on to the origins of the term 'OK' or 'Okay'. One theory is that in World War 1 when the lads got sent 'over the top' etc, on their return the captain/ batallion leader or whatever would radio in how many casualties they had suffered. If they had no fatalities the had 'Zero Killed' or 0K for short. What do you think? Personally i like this conclusion.

[Balbus]

The Oxford English Dictionary gives the origin as being much earlier - President Van Buren's re-election of 1840 in the US. His nickname was Old Kinderhook initials OK) and his election slogan "orl korrect" (all correct).

[Retlaw]

Originally Posted by groove

Hello Walter, last night me and a friend were discussing the origins of certain phrases etc. we got on to the origins of the term 'OK' or 'Okay'. One theory is that in World War 1 when the lads got sent 'over the top' etc, on their return the captain/ batallion leader or whatever would radio in how many casualties they had suffered. If they had no fatalities the had 'Zero Killed' or 0K for short. What do you think? Personally i like this conclusion.

I've never seen the word OK used in any War Diaries or battle reports in WW1 records, as to the use of radio, never heard of them being used on WW1 battle fields, radio was in its infancy, even aircraft used to pass messages by drpping them in weighted tin cans, sometimes heliographs were used to signal aircraft. Most messages were either written & carried by runners, sephamore flags, and telephone lines, were most commonly used, many men won medals for keeping telephone lines working during heavy battles under artillery, and M.G. fire.
Retlaw.

[groove]

Thanks Retlaw

[Bob Dobson]

I have previously heard it stood for All Correct, but I have not come across Old Kinderhook before. Okidoki?