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SEMANTIC ENIGMASWhat is the derivation of the expression 'ok'? And is ok short for okay or okay long for ok? Carol Rapley, Twickenham, England Roger Thomas is correct in that OK is short for oll korrect, but it is not of military origin. It started as a comical abbreviation during a fad in New England in the 1830s. Others were OW (oll wright), KY (know yuse, or no use), and NS ('nuff said).

Guardian first book award 2008ReviewFrank Cottrell Boyce enjoys a brilliant debut, in which good intentions have disastrous resultsA Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz 720pp, Hamish Hamilton, £17.99 When your children are young, you feel that no matter how loud you shout, or how brilliantly you manipulate them, they're not really listening. Then they grow up and you realise that they've been listening only too closely. You've been a massive influence on them.

Black SabbathInterviewBlack Sabbath: 'We used to have cocaine flown in by private plane'Paul LesterThe band who laid the foundations of heavy metal are releasing 13, their first studio album with Ozzy Osbourne for 35 years. Black Sabbath speak about drugs, the occult and GodIt's hard to know where to start. There's the simple fact of Black Sabbath's return with 13 – the metal overlords' first album of new material with Ozzy Osbourne since 1978's Never Say Die!

Surfing This article is more than 11 months oldEddie Aikau surf contest: local lifeguard beats world’s best big wave surfers to take titleThis article is more than 11 months oldLuke Shepardson claims victory in Hawaii event, which is only held when waves at Waimea Bay consistently reach 30ft or bigger Luke Shepardson is more accustomed to saving lives than winning international surf competitions, but on Monday the on-duty lifeguard saw off some of the biggest names in the sport to claim victory at the prestigious Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational in Hawaii.

Champlain Lookout Photograph: Myriam Baril-TessierThis western Québec region is a dynamic destination in the winter and beyond Just across the river from the Canadian capital of Ottawa – and a brisk two-hour drive or train from Montréal – lies the region of the Outaouais, a snowy winter paradise. This playground par excellence in western Québec has wide-open natural spaces in abundance, so you can make the most out of its cross-country trails.

Hugh O’Brian said of Wyatt Earp: ‘I’m convinced that he was a thoroughly honest man, righteous and utterly fearless.’ Photograph: REX/ShutterstockHugh O’Brian said of Wyatt Earp: ‘I’m convinced that he was a thoroughly honest man, righteous and utterly fearless.’ Photograph: REX/ShutterstockTelevisionObituaryHugh O’Brian obituaryActor who starred as Wyatt Earp in the first TV western aimed at adultsThe Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, television’s first western aimed at adults, starred Hugh O’Brian, a rugged, 6ft-tall former marine drill instructor, who has died aged 91.

TechnologyExplainerThe $2bn platform where Russell Brand has 1.4 million followers is popular among conservative commentators and conspiracy theorists Rumble, the video-sharing platform where Russell Brand has 1.4 million followers, may not be a household name but it has grown in popularity – especially among those from the right and “alt-right” – as a place said to be “immune to cancel culture”. Now Brand has had his YouTube channel demonetised after sexual assault allegations, which he denies, the comedian is expected to continue to profit from Rumble.

Kathryn Flett on televisionCultureFeast of Stephen left me emptyFriends and Crocodiles BBC1 Desperate Housewives C4 Hotel Babylon BBC1 Many thanks to those readers with long memories who kindly (gleefully?) alerted me to the presence of the new BBC1 drama written and directed by Stephen Poliakoff, in the hope, presumably, that, as of yore, I may be tempted to dip my cursor into the metaphorical inkwell of vitriol-tinted Quink. But although I'm happy to admit I don't get on with (OK, I loathe) most of Poliakoff's bloated oeuvre (but quite enjoyed The Lost Prince) this isn't just a weird OCD disguised as a hobby (unlike, say, the one involving the jelly babies and the gimp mask).

Paul Newman This article is more than 15 years oldPaul Newman: tributes flow in for 'one of the great 20th-century lives'This article is more than 15 years old 83-year-old loses battle with cancer at home Praise for role as social activist and fundraiserTributes to the epic Hollywood career of Paul Newman, who appeared in his first film more than half a century ago, flooded in over the weekend, praising his dedication to fundraising for charity, the civil rights movement and motor sports.