Let’s talk about this word: Ok!

 

 Let’s talk about this word: Ok!

Etymology is the study of the origin and evolution of words, including their constituent units of sound and meaning, across time.

OK  is allegedly the most popular word in the world. It has been absorbed into countless languages in what scholars argue has been less than 175 years. It is arguably America’s greatest gift to English language expansion and the start of a massive influence of Americanism on the world.

It has been debated that there is no standard spelling. It can be Ok Okay or O.K. All are considered legitimate in editing circles as long as the one chosen is consistent to the piece.

The word "OK" has a disputed origin story with many countries claiming it as their own (as seen below)  but the first documented instance is recorded in the late 1830s in Boston as part of a trend of abbreviating misspellings, OK came from "oll korrect" for "all correct". Other examples were KG for “know go” for “no go”. OW for “Orl Wright” as in “ all right”. The joke is lost on us today but you have to only look at your earlier  Facebook posts to see how often you used LOL or OMG. When you see countless social media posts about Gen Z and Alpha slang explaining words like skibbidy, mid, and delulu. It’s not hard to understand how new words or phrases become part of our lexicon.

Allen Walker Read the linguist who rediscovered OK’s first printed use in the Boston Morning Post back in 1963 hypothesized that the abbreviation gained popularity (and in turn momentum) through a campaign slogan used by supporters of President Martin Van Buren during the 1840 USA election. Van Bruen’s nickname was Old Kinderhook, after his hometown, and he used the slogan “Vote for OK.” This was a perfect storm of syndicated paper stories and national news coverage, basically, much like today's social media and memes. OK had entered the wider consciousness.

 

By World War One it had spread throughout the globe.

Of course, lots of other variables have been put forward, many from different parts of the world with similar sounds and meanings, but none have been proven to be as influential or documented as the origin of the “oll correct” theory. Some of these are, but are not limited to:  English -Opposite of KO "knockout". Scots - och aye ("ah, yes")  Finnish - oikea ("correct") Greek -Initials of Ὅλα Καλά (Ola Kala, "everything is fine")

The word has also proved to be one of the most versatile in the English language by being adaptable as a noun, adverb, and adjective, It can also change its meaning via the volume and length of the speaker (not unlike Chinese) The only word that comes close to this versatility is a certain swear word starting with F.

 

As an adjective, OK principally means "adequate" or "acceptable" as a contrast to "bad" ("The boss approved this, so it is OK to send out"); it can also mean "mediocre" when used in contrast with "good" ("The french fries were great, but the burger was just OK"). It fulfills a similar role as an adverb ("Wow, you did OK for your first time skiing!"). As an interjection, it can denote compliance ("OK, I will do that"),

 or agreement ("OK, that is fine"). It can mean "assent" when it is used as a noun ("the boss gave her the OK to the purchase") or, more colloquially, as a verb ("the boss OKed the purchase"). OK, as an adjective, can express acknowledgement without approval. As a versatile discourse marker or continuer, it can also be used with appropriate intonation to show doubt or to seek confirmation ("OK?", "Is that OK?"). Some of this variation in use and shape of the word is also found in other languages.

This is a table from Wikipedia showing some of the disputed origins from other countries, languages and history.

English	Opposite of KO "knockout"				by 1981
Mandinka	o ke ("that's it", "certainly"; also "do it")	Introduced by West African slaves	by 1815	David Dalby	1969
Wolof	waaw-kay (waaw "yes" + emphatic -kay)	Introduced by West African slaves	by 1815	David Dalby	1969
Scots	och aye ("ah, yes")	Scottish immigrants to North America		"Barbarian"	15 October 1933
Latin	Initials of Omnis Correcta ("all correct"), with the K replacing the C	Used by early schoolmasters marking examination papers			1935
Finnish	oikea ("correct")				July 1940
German	Initials of "Ohne Korrectur" [sic] (German for "No changes")	The term OK was used by typesetters and people working in the publishing business. A manuscript that didn't need any changes or corrections would be marked "O.K." for Ohne Korrectur [sic] (German for "No changes").	c. 1900	Guido Carreras	June 30, 1941
Greek	Initials of Ὅλα Καλά (Ola Kala, "everything is fine")	Used by Greek teachers marking students' work. Prominence of Greek shipping would allow it to be spread by sailors		John Alfred Huybers	1913
French	O qu'oui ("ah, yes")	Emphatic form of "yes"	by 1768	William McDevitt[1]	by 1945
Choctaw	oke, okeh ("it is")	Frontiersman trading with Choctaws borrowed the word directly or via Mobilian Jargon	by 1812	William S. Wyman	August 1885

Originally in BBCN issue 344 July 2025

In search of the New Mystic Lake Estate. Part 2

In search of the New Mystic Lake Estate.

Part Two

The New Mystic Lakes Estate was a failed development by Spencer Jackson, an agent who had experience in the area, that tried hard to capitalize on the peaceful and serene location, spectacular views and beauty of the Dandenong Ranges via an impressive advertising campaign in 1952  but along the way left out some important information. If you wished to live here, depending on which lot you chose it would pay to be a survivalist or a mountain goat. I can attest to this because when I tried to explore one of the plots, I gave up due to the lack of a grappling hook and a safety net. Those who actually came to inspect the site- obviously the majority- realized the work and expense involved to build there, while those who bought off the plan sight unseen as an investment were not so lucky. Despite all this, at least eight people/families decided to make the New Mystic Lake estate their residence in one form or another. 

Original advertising
brochure

The development was named the New Mystic Lakes because the Mystic Lake name had been used for a former estate further south near One Tree Hill back in the 1920s. The Mystic Lake derives from the “Lake” that appears on foggy mornings down in the lower reaches of the Basin and when viewed from the higher points such as the development gave an impression of a misty ethereal lake.

There would be no “lake” today it was a beautiful sunny autumn day as the wife and I  headed to the upper level of the old estate now part of the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

I was going to inspect the other main road associated with the estate the now Tobruk track or as it was known back then Tobruk Avenue, to see if I could find any trace of the adventurist souls who made this home for a while. The entrance to Tobruk track is just short of half a kilometre further up the Mountain highway (passing the only existing estate house which is on the north side of the highway) and runs roughly in tandem to Alamein track but about 100 to 150 metres higher depending on the block sizes. The track is also gated these days but the road is in great condition, though I believe the Alamein track to be marginally better.

Surprisingly enough the track is very even and rises and falls gently over the kilometre we travelled before returning. Luck was on our side as it was midmorning, with a beautiful blue sky and the temperature just nudging 20 degrees, to add a touch of colour to the comfort we were surrounded by hundreds of brown butterflies. (Or Common Brown Butterfly as we spent quite a long-time trying to capture pictures of these guys then another long time on the internet trying to identify them). These butterflies basically followed or led us depending on how slow we were, for the entire length of our trek and back. And if I going to be surrounded by flies in the bush these are definitely my insect of choice. I’d read that a couple of families built on this road until they were bought out or burnt out by bush fires.

the Common brown butterfly

So, with our merry band of butterflies, we began our journey, stopping occasionally to take in the views towards Croydon or up to see the towers nestled on top of the mountain. On the first tight bend, we came across the remains of a driveway, exploring deeper we came upon a rock face and the sound of water. There was a water source in there somewhere, I assumed it ran under the road because opposite the driveway on the downside of the hill, it fell away very steeply to what looked like a gully. Up the driveway and beyond the growth was a levelled out area which may have been the foundation of a structure but no other evidence was visible. So, we followed the butterflies onward. We walked for quite some time thinking that we were too late and mother nature had won, when we were approaching our predesignated point of return, I noticed a cutting into the bank that arched back down a few metres further. Almost like steps.  Not seeing any viable path  I looked down the road and saw what could only

Evidence of a driveway

be the overgrown remains of a driveway. Following the driveway, up the hill, I saw something solid with a square hole. As I approached closer, I could see it was a slab of concrete and beside it was a section of brickwork and beyond that a level piece of ground. I had found the remains of a house. The concrete and brickwork looked like it was part of a chimney probably for a kitchen stove.

First site of the chimney

 

The levelled area indicated the structure itself may have been quite small. The wife and butterflies had stayed down on the road so I had to sauver the discovery by myself and spent some time looking for anything archaeological. I had no luck in that department. It was great to see someone had made a red hot go of it up here and a tiny piece of the legacy remained. Content with the morning's work we let the butterflies lead us homeward. I had a feeling they wanted us gone by the end because I got a few direct headbutts from a couple who didn’t swerve as good as they did earlier in the day.

    

Now comes the weird part. The butterflies all stopped just prior to the descent back down to the gate. The same place where we first encountered them. We surmised the heat of the road or the noise and slipstream of the cars were a hazard. That was until I got home and researched a bit more. That’s when I found that near to that very spot where Tobruk Ave. intersects with the Mountain highway lived a former psychiatrist  Ms Annie Yoppa, who lived a hermits existence in a tent after retiring from city life. Though from a rich family and by nature of her occupation highly intelligent her final years seemed to point towards that maybe she was suffering some degree of mental illness. In February 1959 Ms Yoppa was murdered in her home/tent by a  man seeking out her assistance, he then reacted by beating her to death with one of her tent poles. Soon after his arrest the man was certified insane and committed to an asylum.

Canberra Times April 3 1962

Maybe the butterflies sensed the sad places and avoided them for the happy ones. Maybe there’s a bit of mystic still happening up there.

 

 

References and much thanks to:

 Rick Coxhill’s history of the Basin and the Trove newspaper website. www.coxhill.com       www.trove.nla.gov.au

BOOK STORES

 Originally published July 2020 BBCN

d'Arcy Doyle Aussie Everyman Painter

 

d'Arcy Doyle Aussie Everyman Painter

I was watching a documentary recently on the great American commercial painter Norman Rockwell. A genius at portraying everyday people in common everyday scenes, sometimes with a touch of humour but always with sense of warmth and affection. His portraits of American scenes and situations have become the standard of what people perceive as “everyday” American life from the 1930s to 60s. This whole episode got me remising about my formative years mainly the mid 1970s and 1980s and the artist d’Arcy W Doyle and his works had a similar effect the Rockwell had on his country and why Doyle rates as one of my favourite local artists.

It is no surprise that Doyle’s work would leave an impression on those from that era as Doyle was a canny businessman and like Ken Done who followed him marketed his work into countless prints and advertising paraphernalia such as biscuit tins, dinner trays and calendars. At one time it was estimated that one in ten Australian homes had one of his works in some form or another. This was fortunate for me because at the time growing up surrounded by these images though I had no real interest in art or illustration at that time, the familiarity of it left its mark on my memory. When I was a young lad my brothers and I were often packed up during school holidays and sent by bus up to Yea, the township where my mum’s family originated and many still lived along with our countless cousins. It wasn’t until later that looking closer at some of these d’Arcy Doyle pictures and his depiction of country life that I started to experience a major feeling of déjà vu. Though Doyle based many of these paintings around his own home in South East Queensland, they echoed my summers in Yea. The wide dusty dirt roads, playing cricket in the late afternoon early evening in baggy shorts and shoeless. A mixed group of both boys and girls of varying ages with nary a parent to be seen. Even the houses resembled my Aunty and Uncles. Some sitting high with trestles and other close to the street behind unkempt hedges. It was like a snapshot was taken of our time on those holidays away from home while mum and dad worked.

d’Arcy Doyle was more than a capturer of streetscapes. His deep infinity with the bush produced many landscapes, once again predominantly Queensland and his portrait of Sir Donald Bradman is considered a classic. He also became renowned as a mural painter working receiving commissions to do similar types of work in many Sydney RSLs. An organisation close to his heart as he served in the Australian Navy for seven years including a stint in Korea. Doyle died of bone cancer, something he battled for over a decade, in 2001 but his legacy continues with the d’Arcy Doyle Art Awards now in their 16^th year contributing to the success of artists from across the country. The main landscape category boasts a $10,000 first prize with further categories in Portraiture and Still Life. .The awards and exhibition showcase the best of Australian art from professionals and up and coming emerging artists with The d’Arcy Doyle Schools Challenge section dedicated to children attending junior, middle and high schools.

So, while Doyle’s prints and ephemera are not as prevalent as they once were, he still has a big stake in the future of other artists and he has left his mark on my memories even though it was only three or four works it’s probably influenced me more than most artists in my life.

Originally printed in the BBCN Issue 297 March 2021 edition

The original steampunk railway

SCHWEBEBAHN  The original steampunk railway.

The steampunk railway that was around before steampunk.

 There is a place in Germany where a suspension railway has run for over 120 years, no, not a monorail, a real live steampunk railway that has survived TWO world wars.

Built due to the unique geography of the area the railway runs the roughly over 13-kilometre rail with 20 stations has been modernised but still keeps much of its late 19^th Century charm.

These four  linked videos give a great insight into the history and the workings of this amazing system that still carries 80000 people a day on its limit route.

A nice history of the line with some interesting historical images and stories

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sJbsA8E-8w

Digitally reworked film of an early 20th century ride on the elevated railway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQs5VxNPhzk

The Tim Traveller. An English travel writer gives  more great history and a modern day ride on board. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IFh6wFTJiQ&t=25s

A modern day trip on the with a nice short history and anecdotes 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IFh6wFTJiQ&t=21s

Tales from the Bunker

Tales from the Bunker - How I survived the pandemic of 2020 (so far)

originally printed in the BBCN Issue 289 June 2020

BLACK SATURDAY FIRES VICTORIA 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

BLACK SATURDAY FIRES VICTORIA 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY.
An article I wrote after the fires devasted the state in which I lived during February 2009.

Originally published in the BBCN May 2009

ALL THE KING'S MEN

All The King’s Men is a 700 page science fiction anthology edited by Shane W Smith, the author of The Lesser Evil, Peaceful Tomorrows, The Game, James Flamestar, and Undad. All The King’s Men takes a look at the lives of those on the periphery, ordinary people struggling to make sense of their lives and dreams in a galaxy torn apart by civil war. Each of them is fleeing something different, but they've all come to the same place. When their ship is marooned in deep space, they pass the time by sharing stories. Things that have happened to them, events they've witnessed, rumours they've heard...

Shane W Smith has done a wonderful job creating a coherent story around over two dozen contributions originally with only the barest links if any.
After a successful Kickstarter campaign to help promote the book as of today 5th December 2016 the book and download of ALL THE KINGS MEN are now officially launched.

Of course, this all blatant self-interest to myself as I have a 12 page story PARADISO V as part of the anthology and here is a sample:

Buy your physical copy or download here. 

Band Logos

Band logos
Some have become iconic, whether by sheer popularity or radio friendly flogging.
Of all the millions of band logos that exist it is hard to define what makes the perfect band identifier?

The Beatles logo though simplistic in design has arguably become the most recognized band symbol in the world, right up there with Coca Cola, Mickey Mouse (or should I say Disney these days) and Microsoft. This even worked for the Beatles record company by just using the simple picture of an apple.

Some bands such as the Rolling Stones don't even need to mention their name just a notable body part from one of the members. 
Few have managed to do this but every no and again people like Prince (during his TAFKAP phase) and 70s punks the Misfits manage to produce something that captures the punters attention and still seen on TShirts everywhere (sans title of course).

The you also get the bands that are so huge that a symbol of one of their 

albums is enough to identify them as per this example from Led Zepplin, the personal symbol that is supposed to identify guitarist Jimmy Page.

Others go for basic bold type and border and let the music do the talking and by default and constant use become iconic in their own right,.

Other bands use stylized writing to portray their music and style well documented here by these bands.

 
Whilst some bands like Green Day don’t even bother and release a new banner with just about every record, which is a clever idea as each phase of the bands career is easily identified.

Then there are the Metal bands and their million sub genres , it’s a pity they don’t diverse a little bit.

This link is provides a countdown of Gigwise's favourite 50 band logos and gives reasoning to their decisions.
Better than any "Best Cartoon Band" Lists I come across lately.

For more info and a definitely more concise list than this cobbled together effort by me , click this link for ID the ultimate book of band logos.

Click on the pdf option on the page to view for free.