Now there’s a word you probably don’t hear or use often. Copacetic. It can be spelled two different ways: copacetic, or copasetic. It means very satisfactory or acceptable; fine, excellent, going just right.
The tap dancer Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson, who used it frequently in his vaudeville and stage appearances in the 1920s and 30s, popularized the word. Southern black children could have heard the Hebrew phrase (Hakol BeTzedek, which means, "Everything is fine.") from Jewish shopkeepers and interpreted it as "copacetic", thereby introducing it into Southern black slang.
The word was used often in communications between the astronauts and Mission Control of the Apollo Program in the 1960s. Some say it's a contraction of the phrase, The cop is on the settee," meaning that local law enforcement was none too vigilant and all things were well. "Everything's copacetic." Everything’s cool, smooth, OK.
This odd little word recently became a source of endless comedic material between a friend and me. With creative verbal sparring, we would see who could use it the most frequently. Which of us could be most innovative with it? We had a blast with the word. It had become our own private little joke that only the two of us (or so I thought) were privy to.
Then one Sunday I went to the altar rail and prayed for a situation regarding this person. As I brought this before the prayer ministers and the Lord, I had no need to mention to them the fun word phenomenon that took place regularly in conversation and banter between this person and me. Why would I? So imagine my shock (and utter delight) when one of the intercessors closed with the assurance that, “Everything is copacetic!”
Now I don’t know if she spelled it with a “c” or an “s,” but take your pick. It's all copacetic to me and a reminder that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is still on His throne and that He’s keenly aware of every detail of my life including an archaic nine-letter word.
“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” - Luke 12:6-7.
Copyright © June 28, 2007 – Sandra Snider. All rights reserved.
