Here's the breakdown:
* 1839: A political campaign in Boston used the phrase "oll korrect" as a slogan. This was a playful misspelling of "all correct," meant to mock the political opponent.
* 1840: The phrase "oll korrect" started appearing in newspapers and was subsequently shortened to "O.K."
* 1841: "O.K." appeared in an article in the New York Sun, solidifying its presence in popular culture.
Possible alternative theories:
* "O.K." as a humorous abbreviation: Some argue that "O.K." originated as a humorous abbreviation for "Old Kinderhook," which was a nickname for President Martin Van Buren (who was from Kinderhook, New York). However, this theory is less widely accepted.
It's important to note: The exact origin of the word "okay" is still debated, but the 1839 Boston political campaign is the most widely accepted theory.