BoatBanter.com

"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 9 Oct 2005 16:32:29 -0400, "Eisboch"
wrote:

"Woodchuck" wrote in message
. ..
NOT-OK.

"Elwood" wrote in message
...
OK

Depends on the meaning of "OK"

This requires more thought.

Word History: OK is a quintessentially American term that has spread
from English to many other languages. Its origin was the subject of
scholarly debate for many years until Allen Walker Read showed that OK
is based on a joke of sorts. OK is first recorded in 1839 but was
probably in circulation before that date. During the 1830s there was a
humoristic fashion in Boston newspapers to reduce a phrase to initials
and supply an explanation in parentheses. Sometimes the abbreviations
were misspelled to add to the humor. OK was used in March 1839 as an
abbreviation for all correct, the joke being that neither the O nor
the K was correct. Originally spelled with periods, this term outlived
most similar abbreviations owing to its use in President Martin Van
Buren's 1840 campaign for reelection. Because he was born in
Kinderhook, New York, Van Buren was nicknamed Old Kinderhook, and the
abbreviation proved eminently suitable for political slogans. That
same year, an editorial referring to the receipt of a pin with the
slogan O.K. had this comment: "frightful letters... significant of the
birth-place of Martin Van Buren, old Kinderhook, as also the rallying
word of the Democracy of the late election, 'all correct'.... Those
who wear them should bear in mind that it will require their most
strenuous exertions... to make all things O.K.

Well, I'm certainly impressed!