OK - Ok - Okay

Eeman · Jul 6, 2007

Hi,
I am a little confused about the word OK in chatty first-person narrative.

Should it be in all caps: OK

Or: Ok

The sentence is something like:

Ok, you know what I mean, right?

If it is acceptable, I'd prefer the second option. The document I'm editing contains several instances of Ok, and I'd prefer not to change them to OK - unless, of course, that is what's needed.

Harper K · Jul 6, 2007

Neither. I'd use "okay."

I can't ever remember seeing "OK" or "ok" used in narrative, first-person or otherwise. Maybe if the novel breaks from traditional narrative and shows a character's e-mails or IM transcripts, the shorthand version would be acceptable, but otherwise, use the non-shorthand version.

In my opinion, "OK" jumps out of a given paragraph more than it should. "Okay" doesn't call attention to itself through big capital letters. Plus, "OK" is the postal code for Oklahoma.

CaroGirl · Jul 6, 2007

Okie-dokie?

I agree with satori. Okay is the way to go in both conversation and narrative. I don't much like the look of OK.

Marlys · Jul 6, 2007

I have seen OK used, usually in books published in Britain. I would use okay, though.

If you do use OK, it does need to be in all caps.

reenkam · Jul 6, 2007

I always use "okay"

Once I saw "OK" in a book and it kind of annoyed me because it looked so huge on the page.

Definitely go with okay, okay?

maestrowork · Jul 6, 2007

Marlys is correct. Either all caps: OK, or "okay."

Chasing the Horizon · Jul 7, 2007

I've also seen both OK and Okay used in published novels. I personally prefer OK, but it is the less frequently used of the two. Never seen Ok in a published book.

Maryn · Jul 7, 2007

To me, "Ok" would be pronounced "ock"--which is certainly not okay.

I believe "okay" is moving toward "OK" and the change will be complete within my lifetime. You purists better hope I live a long time! Of course, until the change is officially recognized by everyone in the English-speaking world, you're wise to stick with the old way, "okay." If your publishing house prefers OK, they can make the change easily.

Maryn, seeing a similar trend in "alright"

Ziljon · Jul 7, 2007

Okay.

Silver King · Jul 7, 2007

We had a similar discussion here a few months ago.

notpc · Jul 9, 2007

Silver King said:
We had a similar discussion here a few months ago.

Oh Waaaa!

OK - Ok - Okay

Eeman

Harper K

here's to the girl on the go

CaroGirl

Living the dream

Marlys

Resist. Love. Go outside.

reenkam

aka cupcake

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

Chasing the Horizon

Blowing in the Wind

Maryn

I Tried

Ziljon

Tortilla di Patate

Silver King

Megalops Erectus

notpc