What does OK mean in MILITARY

Origin of OK

The expression “OK” originated in the early 19th century as an abbreviation for “oll korrect”; this was a mischievous play on words that meant “all correct” (in the same way that some people today jokingly use the word “okey-dokey”). The phrase began to spread rapidly during the 1840s, when it acquired a further layer of meaning from its association with supporters of then-President Martin Van Buren, who referred to his followers as “Old Kinderhookers” after his hometown of Kinderhook, New York. From then on, OK became increasingly widely known throughout America as a way to mean “all right” or “correct.”

OK Meaning in Governmental and Military Contexts

In governmental and military contexts, OK is often used as shorthand for zero killed or zero casualties. This means that even though something may have happened – such as a tactical maneuver taking place or an aerial attack – no one was hurt or killed during it. The phrase is sometimes written out as “zero Ks” so there is no confusion about what it means; however, the term has become so widely used that most people are already familiar with its intended meaning when they hear it spoken simply as OK.

Full Form

Although there technically isn't a full form for OK given its origins and usage within American English language culture, some people might choose to write out "zero killed" if they want to be extra clear about what they are referring to while using the phrase in conversation or writing.