Sunday, 20 October 2024 The word 'OK,' originating from a satirical 1839 article as 'oll korrect,' gained popularity during Martin Van Buren's 1840 presidential campaign. Adopted globally, 'OK' now universally signifies agreement, acknowledgement, or approval. Its simplicity and flexibility have embedded it deeply into modern language and digital communications.
Linguist Gareth Roberts joins WIRED to answer the internet's burning questions about the etymologies of English words. How did the first languages first form? Was there once a single common language that all the others evolved from? When were swear words invented? Have words like "dude" and "bro"...
Sunday, 20 October 2024
