Interesting.
"ETYMOLOGY:
In the 1830s, in Boston, there was a fad of making abbreviations; also of using jocular misspellings. So “all correct” became of “oll korrect” which became abbreviated to OK.
The word would have ended as a fad, but along came US President Martin Van Buren (1782-1862). During his re-election campaign of 1840, his supporters adopted the word OK as a nickname for him (short for Old Kinderhook; he was born in Kinderhook, New York) and the word has lived on ever since, not only in the English language, but most of the languages around the world. Earliest documented use: 1839"
From A.Word.A.Day
Somewhat related - nicknames. Human beings like rhymes, and they also like playing with words. "Robert" becomes "Rob," and then it becomes "Bob." "Theodore" becomes "Ted," and then it becomes "Ed." If you think of nicknames this way, they will make more sense to you.
jerryc41 wrote:
Interesting.
"ETYMOLOGY:
In the 1830s, in Boston, there was a fad of making abbreviations; also of using jocular misspellings. So “all correct” became of “oll korrect” which became abbreviated to OK.
The word would have ended as a fad, but along came US President Martin Van Buren (1782-1862). During his re-election campaign of 1840, his supporters adopted the word OK as a nickname for him (short for Old Kinderhook; he was born in Kinderhook, New York) and the word has lived on ever since, not only in the English language, but most of the languages around the world. Earliest documented use: 1839"
From A.Word.A.Day
Somewhat related - nicknames. Human beings like rhymes, and they also like playing with words. "Robert" becomes "Rob," and then it becomes "Bob." "Theodore" becomes "Ted," and then it becomes "Ed." If you think of nicknames this way, they will make more sense to you.
Interesting. br br "ETYMOLOGY: br In the 183... (
show quote)
Somewhat related.
During WW2 GI's were use this tape that would adhere to anything and water would not be a factor in it coming "unglued" Water would run off it like a Duck's ass. It was called Duck tape
The war is over, the GI's come home there is a building boom and there is central heat and A/C being installed in these houses. The invenive GI's need something to ensure the duct work for these systems would come apart. They remembered Duck Tape. Which was renamed to Duct Tape.
traderjohn wrote:
Somewhat related.
During WW2 GI's were use this tape that would adhere to anything and water would not be a factor in it coming "unglued" Water would run off it like a Duck's ass. It was called Duck tape
The war is over, the GI's come home there is a building boom and there is central heat and A/C being installed in these houses. The invenive GI's need something to ensure the duct work for these systems would come apart. They remembered Duck Tape. Which was renamed to Duct Tape.
How could modern society function with out Duck/Duct Tape?
jerryc41 wrote:
How could modern society function with out Duck/Duct Tape?
Ironically, you do NOT want to use Duck/Duct Tape for sealing your duct work!
There is a simpler and more accurate explanation of OK: it comes from the very common Greek words ὅλα καλά, ola kala, meaning "all is well". Its origins are earlier than 1840 but I don't have them handy. There quite a few words in English from these two: like oligarch and composites of calli- (from kalli-).
jlocke wrote:
Ironically, you do NOT want to use Duck/Duct Tape for sealing your duct work!
Depends on the brand and variety - there are high temperature versions that work well on duct work and hoses that carry hot liquids-like on engine's cooling systems.
Isn't Word-a-Day a great website! One of my favorites.
Remember--If the ancient Egyptians had Duck/Duct Tape, the Sphinx would still have a nose.
Maybe Super Glue? Lots of it.
jerryc41 wrote:
Interesting.
"ETYMOLOGY:
In the 1830s, in Boston, there was a fad of making abbreviations; also of using jocular misspellings. So “all correct” became of “oll korrect” which became abbreviated to OK.
The word would have ended as a fad, but along came US President Martin Van Buren (1782-1862). During his re-election campaign of 1840, his supporters adopted the word OK as a nickname for him (short for Old Kinderhook; he was born in Kinderhook, New York) and the word has lived on ever since, not only in the English language, but most of the languages around the world. Earliest documented use: 1839"
From A.Word.A.Day
Somewhat related - nicknames. Human beings like rhymes, and they also like playing with words. "Robert" becomes "Rob," and then it becomes "Bob." "Theodore" becomes "Ted," and then it becomes "Ed." If you think of nicknames this way, they will make more sense to you.
Interesting. br br "ETYMOLOGY: br In the 183... (
show quote)
Very interesting stuff, Jerry.
I've heard of the word "SNAFU" was derived from war time soldiers replying to an inquiry about how things are going down in the trenches. The reply was "Situation Normal, All *ucked Up. Not sure, but it sounds plausible.
jerryc41 wrote:
Interesting.
"ETYMOLOGY:
In the 1830s, in Boston, there was a fad of making abbreviations; also of using jocular misspellings. So “all correct” became of “oll korrect” which became abbreviated to OK.
The word would have ended as a fad, but along came US President Martin Van Buren (1782-1862). During his re-election campaign of 1840, his supporters adopted the word OK as a nickname for him (short for Old Kinderhook; he was born in Kinderhook, New York) and the word has lived on ever since, not only in the English language, but most of the languages around the world. Earliest documented use: 1839"
From A.Word.A.Day
Somewhat related - nicknames. Human beings like rhymes, and they also like playing with words. "Robert" becomes "Rob," and then it becomes "Bob." "Theodore" becomes "Ted," and then it becomes "Ed." If you think of nicknames this way, they will make more sense to you.
Interesting. br br "ETYMOLOGY: br In the 183... (
show quote)
I think Ed comes from the proper name Edward.
I hate it when OK is used in historical films especially ones before ww2.
TomC. wrote:
Very interesting stuff, Jerry.
I've heard of the word "SNAFU" was derived from war time soldiers replying to an inquiry about how things are going down in the trenches. The reply was "Situation Normal, All *ucked Up. Not sure, but it sounds plausible.
Yes that is where it came from, they were still in use when I served in Vietnam in the late 60s, we still had a fair number of WW II veterans in service.
There is also FUBAR = "Fuc*ed Up Beyond All Recognition".
Bob Smith wrote:
I hate it when OK is used in historical films especially ones before ww2.
It originated in the 1830s and was used on political posters in the 1840 Presidential election. So it's use in those films is correct.
Ok then how many ducks does it take to make a roll of 50 ft?
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