The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-01-10
10 YOU KNOW WHERE
%. K" ORIGINATED?
II Not, Here's a First Rate
Opportunity to Get
Wise.

o. X. is the most used form Of ex-
preston in the commercial world, and
is used in the United STATES o%ftener,
perhaps. in conversation. than any
other purely arbitrary expression in
the English language.
Its universally accepted meaning Is
we'll understood, yet not until recently
has any dictionary or lexicon given it a
place. or undertaken to tell its signif-
canoe. 1t is used to attest the ac-
curacy, g%enuineness or approval of
words usually used in composition, or
in connection with other words or
phrases. s
that it defes misunderstanding, and
requires no qualifying words to ex-
plain or amplify it. 1t is used, literally,
around the world. Not only the busi-
ness men in banks, mercantile houses,
private business offices, insurance COM
panies, ETC., in America, use o. x. to
avouch the correctness OF. statements,
accounts, bills of all kinds, etc. but the
American and English legations. con-
suls,. etc. in all countries where they
are found. especially in all parts of the
world in which ships enter and depart,
use the same o X. to express their APP
prevail Of all official business documents
or papers.
In all he principal and subordinate
departments of our government o. X.
40 INV ~ ~ ASoS . Wy
officials and clerks to attest their APP
prevail, satisfaction or the accuracy Of
whatever they favorably pass judg-
ment upon. Its use extends to wherever
the English language is used, but more
particularly in connection with trade
and commerce.. 1t has no synonym nor
any substitute. 1t stands unique and
alone for its use. It's meaning is: All
correct. Its origin came from the mis-
spelling Of he two words. all correct.
! Tho ORIGIN Of tho aYnrocSiOn-if ~
may be SO called-was in the exciting
Harrison campaign OF $780,. says the
Ohio Historical Quarterly.
A notable whig convention was held
September Is. 1s4O. which General Will
liam Henry Harrison, the candidate for
president, addressed ut Is said for W.
,hours) and at which the Hon. Moses
B. Brown. of Urbana. presided. In the
grove of John A. Ward Gather of the
now famous sculptor. John @. A. Ward.
of New York city,, ten tables were set,
each 300 feet long, from which the peo-
pie were fed barbecued oxen. sheep.
etc, with cider (the popular beverage
OF that campaign and all in abund-
.ance. Addresses were made during the
day and evening by Ex-Governor Met
calf. Of Kentucky Gin buckskin hunting
shirt. it is said). Arthur Elliot. q Mr..
Chambers. Of Louisiana, and Richard
Douglas. of Chillicothe.
An enthusiastic whig farmer from
jackson township. Champaign county.
rugged up a wagon drawn by nan
horses with a platform thereon to ac-
commodate his neighbor farmers. to
convention. A banner was suspended
over the platform, on which was rudely
printed this inscription:
THE PEOPLE IS OIL KORRECT."
According to the recollections Of
some. who pretend to remember, the
inqcrinfiOn wac.
THE FARMERS IS OIL KORRECT."
The material part, however, Is the
last two words. n their misspelling.
Democratic newspapers seized on the
played 1t as evidence of the ignorance
Of the wings and the supporters of
General Harrison. Samuel Medary, of
Columbus, O.. famous then for his zeal
in publishing campaign democratic lit
e%rature. and in assault on the wings,
farmers llliteracy. Democratic orators
carried this banner motto around on
hand bills and exhibited it to their
shouting hearers, much to the disgust
and chagrin of the wings.
One Daniel Leffel, q typical early
time tavern keeper. an unusually. even
for that time. enthusiastic whig and
supporter of Harrison, the proprietor of
a tavern just west of Springfield, O.,
on the national road. thought it best
party by the rustic farmers making the
most of 1t. So, before the
ended. he caused the letters g. K. to
be painted Immediately over the front
door of his Sugar Grove tavern, in
large capital letters. and thenceforth
gave 1t out that they meant that this
tavern was ION Korrect."
This is. with little doubt the first
place these two letters-O. K.-wera
used with the artificial meaning they
now SO universally possess. From thi.
use; with this meaning at first little by
ai.'e locally. matters were o. Ked.. un-
III now millions use the expression
without doubt as to its meaning or
! question as to the p,opriety Of its use