Meaning of the word "okay"

Posted by R. Berg on November 12, 2002

In Reply to: Meaning of the word "okay" posted by Jim Broadbent on November 12, 2002

: Hi;

: I read the meaning of the phrase "okay" and I tend to disagree with those given.

: I believe that the word comes from the japanese word "okane" which means money (pronounced: O-kah-nay)

: The japanese hand sign for this word is the same as what we use for "ok" in North America - a circle of the thumb and index finger with the other 3 fingers fanned out above.

: I think (but have no proof) that the Japanese word was borrowed after the occupation of Japan following the Second World War.

If so, chronology argues against that origin. "OK" appeared in American English much earlier than WW II.

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