Okay, I’ve got the message that some of you readers don’t like seeing the word okay in a crossword, because you were taught at school that it’s a slang word and should never be used in polite company.
Since those days, however, the English language has moved on in leaps and bounds. So many of our presently accepted words were once slang – a journey they often have to make. Suspicious or delinquent-looking words are left on the fringes of respectable language until speakers embrace them enough to replace formerly used words. And somehow, in the case of okay, ‘all right’ just doesn’t pack the same punch and is less versatile.
Various claims have been made about the origin of the word, but it would have to be, along with taxi, one of the best known English words throughout the world.
Some years ago, in a remote island off Borneo, our taxi-driver knew no English whatsoever except for taxi and okay, and we got along just fine. Would he have known ‘all right’? I doubt it.
Words are changing as the world changes and we need to be able to communicate by using current trends. Nobody likes losing vocabulary more than I do, I will fight like a mammoth (also obsolete) to save some of the lovely old words that fall into disuse.
Ugsome, for instance, meaning ugly and a bit scary, was a word I used as a child and I’m dismayed that both Oxford and Collins have relinquished it to the giant retirement home for pre-loved words.
So if it’s okay with you, I’m going to keep okay in the crosswords because one day it will be considered a fine upstanding member of the English vocabulary.
Happy puzzling!
Hi Pat
Sorry for the delay getting back to you. I was preoccupied gorging myself with Easter eggs. I’ve forwarded your enquiry to our YouPlay team who will be in touch. Thanks for the positive feedback and I hope you’re back in action soon.
Kind regards
Steve