K functions - how did SAS decide on the letter k for the prefix?

[feff]

K functions - how did SAS decide on the letter k for the prefix?

[Tom]

Are we allowed to guess? They flipped a coin?  Called RANUNI() function?  Kanji? Katakana?

[novinosrin]

@Tom  love your sense of humor. Thank you sir , you made me laugh hahahahaha

[SuryaKiran · Accepted solution]

In the mid-1980s, a set of string manipulation functions for Kanji characters handling were released. The K functions were born! 

Source : https://www.sas.com/content/dam/SAS/support/en/sas-global-forum-proceedings/2018/1902-2018.pdf