Earlier this year, Cardi B attempted to trademark her signature catchphrase "okurrr," however the request has been denied, per CNN. According to the outlet, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office found that the phrase is too commonplace for a trademark to be warranted.
The rapper filed the trademark application in March, in hopes of printing the expression on her merchandise, including T-shirts, clothing, footwear, and hats. The trademarks were filed for "Okurrr" with both two and three R's, the former of which was taken as a precaution.
However, on the application, the government office wrote that "okurrr" is a "commonplace term, message, or expression widely used by a variety of sources that merely conveys an ordinary, familiar, well-recognized concept or sentiment." It was also noted that the origins of the phrase stems from the drag community, deeming it "commonly used in the drag community and by celebrities as an alternate way of saying 'OK' or 'something that is said to affirm when someone is being put in their place.'"
According to The Blast, many other celebrities including the Kardashians had used the phrase long before Cardi applied for the trademark, which the USPTO used as justification for denying her claim. It's worth noting that much of the celebrity usage was likely inspired by the "Money" rapper's circulation of the phrase.
During an appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, Cardi explained to the talk show host what the word means in her book. “It’s like a cold pigeon in New York City,” she said. “It depends on the situation that you’re in. Like if somebody checks somebody it’s like ‘okurrr.'” During her cameo in Pepsi's Superbowl commercial, Cardi similarly delivered the expression alongside Steve Carrell. Needless to say, it's her trademark at this point, even if she can't make it official.
