The most spoken word on earth is...
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (42621)
March 12, 2025 9:55pm CST
Out of the blue, sitting here with my son, he asked ''what is the most commonly spoken word on earth, Mom?'' He comes up with some questions that stump me at times. We chatted a bit about some possibilities, and even wondered if it could possibly be a ''bad'' word, as we all hear them so often now. So we did what we always do, we hit on google to ask.
According to AI/google, etc. the most commonly used word on the planet is OK. Or if you want to spell it out, okay. In every country, it's the same. OK? Yes.
Via Yahoo--''Of all the words in the English language, the word “OK” is pretty new: It’s only been used for about 180 years.
Although it’s become the most spoken word on the planet, it’s kind of a strange word. Sometimes it’s spelled out—“okay”—and sometimes just two letters are used: “OK.” Other times, periods separate the two letters: “O.K.”
I had no idea it was so popular. I learned my something new for the day!
picture via clapingo.
17 people like this
15 responses
@MarieCoyle (42621)
•
13 Mar
Hahaha! I just knew you wanted to know about ''OK'' so I had to post about it! Hey, I thought it was weird, sorry if it was too weird to post about, Karen. 
1 person likes this
@kareng (72176)
• United States
13 Mar
@MarieCoyle Don't apologize, I enjoyed it and just went with it as a pun in comments!! Okay?? 
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (47674)
• India
13 Mar
I think "Ok" is just OK or O.K. in many countries!
I think that even if one goes to a country and doesn't knows the language, Ok might be a word that everyone understands!
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (47674)
• India
14 Mar
@MarieCoyle
Another closer word could be "No".
In Hindi, we say it as "Naa" or "Nahi" and it is pretty closer although it could be very different in some other languages.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (47674)
• India
14 Mar
@MarieCoyle
Yes that is true. However, in some cases, A "No" is important for unfair demands.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42621)
•
13 Mar
I just didn't realize it was as popular as it is. And yes, it seems to be univerally understood.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38389)
• Philippines
13 Mar
I guess this word is already widely used as anyone around the world they easily get to understand what it means. In my place this word is also adapted by many of us and seems like it has been part of our language already. According to AI research:
"The most widely accepted theory traces "OK" back to the 1830s in the United States as part of a humorous trend where people intentionally misspelled phrases and turned them into abbreviations. In this case, "OK" came from "Oll Korrect", a playful misspelling of "All Correct."
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38389)
• Philippines
13 Mar
@MarieCoyle I suppose most people would pick it up and adjust to their language since it is the simplest word to remember.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42621)
•
13 Mar
Yes, I read that too, about where the word came from. Odd, but then again, many words are odd. I know it’s a word that seems to be used universally. Kind of funny how it came to be so popular!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42621)
•
13 Mar
@rsa101
Yes, and it's quick and easy, which these days seems to be important.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (7234)
• United Kingdom
13 Mar
That surprises me. I’d have thought it was either ‘THE’ or ‘A’
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (7234)
• United Kingdom
13 Mar
@MarieCoyle “Sorry” must be up there too.
I didn’t read your post properly, and as it’s the whole world, and not just the English speaking world, OK makes sense.
So, sorry
I didn’t read your post properly, and as it’s the whole world, and not just the English speaking world, OK makes sense.
So, sorry 1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42621)
•
13 Mar
I thought of ''the'' or ''and'' as well as ''A'' as well.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42621)
•
13 Mar
@Orson_Kart
It's all good. I sometimes read things too quickly and miss things, too.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (114347)
• Marion, Ohio
13 Mar
Didn't know it was used in every country.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42621)
•
13 Mar
Evidently it has been adapted to fit into every country. I wonder if there are other words (besides maybe bad words) that have worked their way through every country?
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (114347)
• Marion, Ohio
13 Mar
@MarieCoyle Probably is. You need to research that
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (43298)
• United States
13 Mar
I would never have guessed okay. Interesting.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42621)
•
13 Mar
@1creekgirl
I knew it was popular but not this much. I know many times words become popular because young people use them. One word that can truly make me crazy is LIKE. I hear it on TV, etc...way too much. Last night on the news the reporter was chatting with a basketball player, and the player kept saying, ''Like, you know,'' or just using like in literally every sentence. I finally had to change the channel, I couldn't stand it. I must be old, Vicki!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (163034)
• United States
14 Mar
You never know when that will happen. But you are willing to learn and that is okay.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (187547)
• United States
13 Mar
Not surprised really since everyone seems to know what it means in various countries.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42621)
•
13 Mar
No, not surprising, but I honestly thought it would possibly be ''and, the, it, like'' or something like that. I had no idea it would be OK/okay.
@MarieCoyle (42621)
•
13 Mar
It truly is. I hear it around here every day, read it online, etc. I think OK/Okay is here to stay.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (83825)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
13 Mar
That is interesting thanks for sharing,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (42621)
•
13 Mar
Some new things I learn, aren't anything earthshaking, for sure. And some are really interesting. This one doesn't really fit either of these categories...but hey, at least I learned something. 
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (186307)
• United States
13 Mar
That makes sense. I'm sure I use it a lot too.
1 person likes this
