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August 24, 2008 4:41 pm
I recently came across this explanation on the origin of "OK."
"From the Greek - Ola Kala meaning "all correct" or "all well." British proctors and instructors would use the contraction "O.K" instead of writing "ola kala" when grading papers."
(I presume they mean *ancient* Greek.)
Could this be the origin of the phrase "OK"?
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August 24, 2008 10:24 pm
No, it's not the origin, though that has been theorized before. The most likely origins—resting on much research and actual early print uses, which is something the Greek supposed origin lacks—is explained here:
OK, Michael Quinion of World Wide Words
What does “OK” stand for? Straight Dope
The Eternal Fascination of OK. Etymologist Anatoly Liberman