{"id":7271,"date":"2022-08-17T18:13:43","date_gmt":"2022-08-17T18:13:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=7271"},"modified":"2022-08-17T18:13:43","modified_gmt":"2022-08-17T18:13:43","slug":"k-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/k-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"K \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did someone just reply to your last text message with \u2018k<\/em>\u2019? If so, you better end the conversation and leave them alone. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The letter \u2018k<\/em>\u2019 is an abbreviation of the word \u2018okay<\/em>.\u2019 It\u2019s commonly used on social media, in text messages, and in verbal exchanges. If you say something to someone and they reply with \u2018k<\/em>,\u2019 it means they are uninterested in what you have to say, or they find you offensive or boring.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s common for women to use this expression in text messages when speaking with someone of the other sex that\u2019s hitting on them. If someone sends you \u2018k<\/em>\u2019 in response to something you say, it\u2019s time to end the conversation.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cWhy are you being like this? I send you a heartfelt message, and you reply with \u2018k.\u2019 Thanks, I thought you were someone I could talk to about this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cK? What do you mean? Was it something I said? Why are you turning the cold shoulder on me like this? I don\u2019t deserve this kind of treatment from you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was chatting with this girl online, and she sent me \u2018k\u2019 as a reply to a question, then she went offline. Do you think I upset her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you feel I\u2019m providing you guys with good content, hit the like button, k? I put the work in for you guys, and the least you can do is hit the thumbs up, please?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression \u2018k\u2019 evolved from text messaging and the need to abbreviate words to save time typing. During the introductory period of cell phone technology, people would use a numeric keypad to type messages.<\/p>\n

The user would have to press a number key several times to access the letter they needed in their message. As a result, people started making abbreviations and acronyms for commonly used phrases, words, and terms in text messages.<\/p>\n

Language experts are unsure who coined the term or when it first appeared in the texting lexicon. However, experts claim it's one of the original abbreviations used in text messaging, circa 2008, and the invention of the iPhone, predictive text, and QWERTY keyboards.<\/p>\n

Despite the shift to new tech, most people used \u2018k\u2019 as an abbreviation for \u2018okay.\u2019<\/p>\n