The term "okey-dokey", and its diminutives "ok" and "okay", was first introduced into the English language by American military personnel returning home from the Pacific Theatre of World War II. The holy city of Hokaido was deliberately avoided as a bombing target by the Allied powers because of its special cultural significance. In the days of hardship during the occupation of their country the people of Japan became accustomed to uttering the phrase "Hokaido kai!", which means, literally, "As it is in Hokaido!" to indicate that they were all right. American soldiers picked up the habit. This is why the term is utterly missing from all American literature and movies prior to the cessation of WWII.