Among Martin Van Buren’s many nicknames is “Old Kinderhook,” in reference to his town of birth. This is often shortened to OK. Coincidentally, Andrew Jackson prints this abbreviation on official documents. When he wants to approve something as all correct, he simply writes OK. Despite his proficiency in Latin and law, Jackson is such a poor speller that he believes all correct is spelled ole kurrek. Thus, OK enters the American lexicon as a verbal affirmation and eventually becomes the most used word in the entire world.4
