History of OK in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 5, 2026

OK (and its variations) is an English word expressing approval, agreement, acceptance, or indifference. It's a widely used loanword in many languages, even called the most spoken or written word globally. It's a versatile term for affirmation or neutrality.

1913: Webster's Lists "okeh"

In 1913, Webster's Dictionary listed "okeh" as an alternative spelling, referencing the Christian missionaries Cyrus Byington and Alfred Wright usage of "okeh" in their Bible translation.

May 4, 1918: Lawrence Writes Article About Wilson's "okeh" Usage

On May 4, 1918, David Lawrence published an article in the Saturday Evening Post about President Woodrow Wilson's usage of "okeh" on informal memoranda.

1941: Allen Walker Read proposed etymology of OK in "Old Kinderhook"

In 1941, Allen Walker Read proposed that 'OK' originated from 'Old Kinderhook'. However, the connection to 'Oll Korrect' was not completely clear at the time.

1955: Ryan Returns to the Subject

In 1955, columnist Francis De Sales Ryan told the United Press International that he had researched the origin of OK and felt confident that it had been created by Van Buren's supporters in 1839.

1961: Dictionaries Cite Choctaw Origin

In 1961, major American reference works like Webster's, New Century, and Funk & Wagnalls still cited the Choctaw origin as the probable etymology of 'OK'.

1962: Challenges to Read's Etymology

In 1962, challenges to Allen Walker Read's etymology of 'OK' were presented, including Heflin's article.

1963: Allen Walker Read's American Speech Articles

In 1963, Allen Walker Read published a series of articles in the journal American Speech, detailing the early history of the word 'OK' in print. He tracked its spread and evolution in American newspapers and other documents.

1963: Allen Walker Read's Papers Silenced Skepticism

In 1963, Allen Walker Read's landmark papers silenced most of the skepticism surrounding his etymology of 'OK,' leading to its widespread acceptance.

1964: Allen Walker Read's American Speech Articles

In 1964, Allen Walker Read continued publishing his series of articles in the journal American Speech about the etymology of 'OK'. These articles documented the word's spread, evolution, and controversies surrounding its folk etymologies.

1964: Allen Walker Read's Papers Silenced Skepticism

In 1964, Allen Walker Read's landmark papers silenced most of the skepticism surrounding his etymology of 'OK,' leading to its widespread acceptance.

1969: Dalby Claims African Origins

In 1969, David Dalby first claimed that the particle 'OK' could have African origins during the Hans Wolff Memorial Lecture.

1971: Dalby's Argument Reprinted

Between 1969 and 1971, David Dalby's argument about the African origins of 'OK' was reprinted in various newspaper articles.

1981: West African Hypothesis Not Accepted

By 1981, the West African hypothesis regarding the origin of 'OK' had not been accepted by any etymologists.

1993: Holloway Argues African Heritage

In 1993, Joseph Holloway, in the book 'The African Heritage of American English,' argued that West African languages have near-homophone discourse markers similar to 'OK'.