A-ok
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An a-ok (pronounced a o-kay; IPA (General American) [eɪ okeɪ]) is both a saying (derived from okay) and a hand-gesture done by connecting the thumb and forefinger in to a circle (the 'O') and holding the other fingers straight or relaxed in the air ("The Okay Sign"). While the gesture is positive in some countries, in certain parts of middle and southern Europe the gesture is considered offensive (as in "you are a zero" or "you are nothing"). In some Mediterranean countries, as well as in Brazil, it is even considered to be a vulgar insult ("you are an asshole"). By the same symbolism, it stands for "marica" (faggot) in several South American countries. When the sign is placed over the nose, with the nose protruding through the 'O' made by the thumb and forefinger, it means, in most continental European countries, "drunk."
Introduced into the American vocabulary by John A. "Shorty" Powers public affairs officer for NASA in the early 1960s during Project Mercury.
In Japan it can also mean "0" or "money."
Like the famous thumbs up, the A-ok has also gotten a slightly sarcastic undertone in certain circles.
The hand signal is also used in underwater diving.
