O. K.. a matter to be O. K. (OLL KORRECT, _i.e._, all correct), must be on the “square,” and perfectly in order. This is an Americanism, and is derived from the initials O. K., said to have been marked on a document by an official to signify that all was right and proper. O. P. Publishers’ reply to an inquiry for a book or paper that is OUT. OF PRINT. Oaf. a lumbering, awkward fellow. Oak. the outer door of college rooms; to “sport one’s OAK,” to be “not at home” to visitors. _See_ SPORT.—_University._ Oar. “to put in an OAR,” to interfere. Oat. an atom. Probable corruption of iota, or perhaps from the small size of an oat. “I never got an OAT of it,” I never received the smallest portion. Oat-stealer. an ostler. Obfuscated. intoxicated. Obliquitous. oblivious of distinction between right and wrong.—_American._ Obstropolous. Cockney corruption of obstreperous. Ochre. money, generally applied to gold, for a very obvious reason. Od rot it (_Colman’s Broad Grins_), DRAT IT, OD’S BLOOD, and all other. exclamations commencing with OD, are nothing but softened or suppressed oaths. OD is a corruption of GOD, and DRAT of ROT. Odd man. a man who trains in company with a boat’s crew, so that in the event of any one falling ill the seat will be fairly occupied. Odd man out. a street or public-house game at tossing. The number of players is three or more. Each tosses up a coin, and if two come down head, and one comes tail, or _vice versâ_, the ODD MAN loses or wins, as may have been agreed upon. Frequently used to victimize a “flat.” If all be alike, then the toss goes for nothing, and the coppers are again “skied.” It is easy for two men to arrange matters beforehand at this game, and so swindle a third. Odds. a phrase equivalent to “consequence;” “what’s the ODDS?” _i.e._, what is the expected result? “It’s no ODDS,” _i.e._, of no consequence. ODDS, in sporting phraseology, refers to the proportions or differences of a bet. One bookmaker will lay ODDS of “six to one” against such a horse winning; whilst another, more speculative, or in the receipt of a first-rate “tip” (information about the horse in question) will lay “eight,” or even “ten to one.”
Based on the Slang Dictionary by John Camden Hotten, published by CHATTO & WINDUS, 1913
