I guess it's ok to celebrate Ok Day, the day the word "ok" showed up in print for the first time (172 years ago). The word has a few points of distinction, after all.
It's Universal. The word ok has been adapted to countless other languages including African dialects, Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, German, and Vietnamese to name a few.
It's versatile. According to Wikipedia, depending on context and inflection the word can have up to 7 different meanings. For example, you can use it sarcastically, as an exclamation, as a noun, or as a verb.
The word has a sense of humor. It is believed the word "ok" is an abbreviation of a misspelling "oll korrect." Apparently a fad existed in the United States at the time the word originated. "Comical mispellings" were used and then formed into acronyms. Two other examples that didn't rise to the same prominence as OK were: K.Y. for "know yuse" ("no use") and N.C. for "'nuff ced."
It has a hand gesture. I can only think of one other expression in the English language that has an accompanying hand gesture and it certainly doesn't warrant a day of celebration.
It changes with the times: While Ok first entered print in 1839, it frequents all sorts of label buttons on modern day computers.
It has its own biography: Ranking right up there with Jefferson, Lincoln, and Churchill the word Ok has a published account of his life: OK: The Improbable Story of America's Greatest Word, Metcalf, Allan. (2011). Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Ok, now that I've touted many of the reasons Ok Day is worth celebrating, let me tell you my major beef with the word "ok".
Ok is only ok. It doesn't shine. By definition ok can, and will only ever mean, "adequate," "acceptable", or "mediocre." Nothing about the word "ok" implies excellence and, yet, that is the very foundation on which our beloved House of Shine stands.
The word "ok" deserves a little recognition I suppose, but is it ok that I'm letting it trump the celebration of National Puppy Day, Near Miss Day, World Meteorological Day, and Kick Butts Day? Visit me in the comment section and help me feel ok about my decision.
Ok?
Shining off until tomorrow...