Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing Why we say ‘OK.’ How tea shaped English slang. Poetry winner
Mar 18, 2025
Discover the fascinating origins of 'OK' and how a 19th-century election made it a staple in our vocabulary. Dive into the Victorian tea culture that birthed quirky idioms like 'scandal broth' and uncover the deeper meanings behind phrases shaped by the British tea trade. Enjoy personal anecdotes that connect language with everyday life, and celebrate linguistic creativity with a winning poem from the ACES poetry contest. Language has never been more colorful!
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Origin of OK
- "OK" originated as "O.K.", an abbreviation of the misspelled "Oll Korrect".
- It gained popularity through President Martin Van Buren's "Vote for OK" campaign slogan.
Using OK in Fiction
- Consider the historical context when using "OK" in fiction writing.
- Before 1839, avoid using "OK" altogether; before 1895, use "O.K."
High Tea vs. Low Tea
- The term "high tea" is often misused to denote a fancy tea service.
- In reality, "high tea" was a hearty working-class meal, while "low tea" was the fancy afternoon tea.
