Michelle McSweeney

"OK" as a word accepts proposals, describes the world as satisfactory (but not good), provides conversational momentum, or even agrees (or disagrees). OK as an object, however, tells a story of how technology writes itself into language, permanently altering communication. OK (Bloomsbury, 2023), by Dr. Michelle McSweeney and published by Bloomsbury in 2023, explores this storyOK is a young word, less than 200 years old. It began as an acronym for “all correct” when the steam-powered printing press pushed newspapers into the mainstream. Today it is spoken and written by nearly everyone in the world. Drawing on linguistics, history, and new media studies, Michelle McSweeney traces OK from its birth in the Penny Presses through telephone lines, grammar books, and television signals into the digital age.This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Michelle McSweeney, a linguist and data scientist, dives into the fascinating story of the word 'OK.' She traces its origins from a playful 1839 newspaper abbreviation to a global staple of communication. The discussion highlights how technological advancements—from telegraphs to television—shaped the word's evolution. McSweeney also explores the intersection of language and identity in the digital age, revealing how 'OK' became more than just a word, including its controversial uses today. Her insights shed light on our ongoing relationship with language and technology.