s.o.s. - what do the words stand for?

Question

My daughter asked what "S.O.S." means, specifically what the acronym stands for. I have NO IDEA!! Anyone know?

Answer 1

SOS is the commonly used description for the International Morse code distress signal (· · · - - - · · · ) (listen). This distress signal was first adopted by the German government in radio regulations effective April 1, 1905, and became the worldwide standard when it was included in the second International Radiotelegraphic Convention, which was signed on November 3, 1906, and became effective on July 1, 1908.

From the beginning, the SOS distress signal has actually consisted of a continuous sequence of three-dits/three-dahs/three-dits, all run together without letter spacing. In International Morse Code, three dits form the letter S, and three dahs make the letter O, so "SOS" became an easy way to remember the correct order of the dits and dahs. In modern terminology, SOS is a "procedural signal" or "prosign", and the formal way to show that there are no internal spaces when it is sent is to write it with a bar above the letters, i.e. .)

In popular usage, SOS became associated with phrases such as "Save Our Ship," "Survivors On Ship," "Save Our Souls" and "Send Out Sailors". However, these phrases were a later development, most likely used to help remember the correct letters- something known as a backronym. Other backronyms include Stuck On Site.

Answer 2

It's not an acronym at all. The letters SOS were selected because they're easy to remember and distinctive when typed in Morse Code.

...---... / ...---...

The first distress signal was CQD. "CQ" means a general call and the "D" stood for distress. But that sequence in Morse was:

-.-. --.- -.. That's not particularly memorable, is it?

In 1908, an international committee tried to come up with a distress signal that would be easy to remember during a crisis, and could be transmitted by an amateur with only rudimentary knowledge of Morse Code. They decided a simple combination of threes: three letters, each represented by three marks, since three is a universally favored number. Well, at least in Western cultures.

In Morse Code, the only letters represented by three identical marks are O (three dashes) and S (three dots). The committee toyed with OSO, but dashes are longer electrical signals to transmit than dots. An urgent message needed to be broadcast as quickly as possible and use as little power as possible, and so SOS became international standard.

During WWII, the signal "SSS" was adopted when the source of the emergency was a submarine attack, presumably so that potential rescue ships would know there was an enemy sub in the area.

Answer 3

The acronym stands for "Save Our Souls". The acronym was necessary when ships communication with other ships and other people was limited to radio frequency based teletype. After that it caught on and was applied to other areas.

Answer 4

Save Our Souls

Answer 5

SOS (noun)
• an international coded signal of extreme distress, used especially by ships at sea.
• an urgent appeal for help.
— ORIGIN letters chosen as being easily transmitted and recognized in Morse code; by folk etymology an abbreviation of save our souls or Save Our Ship or Send Out Succour.
The letters don't actually stand for anything

Check: http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/060199tip6.htm

There is much mystery and misinformation surrounding the origin and use of maritime distress calls. Casual students of radio history are aware that the use of "SOS" was preceded by "CQD.
The practical use of wireless telegraphy was made possible by Guglielmo Marconi in the closing years of the 19th century. Until then, ships at sea out of visual range were very much isolated from shore and other ships. The wireless telegraphers used Morse Code to send messages.
By 1904 there were many trans-Atlantic British ships equipped with wireless communications. The wireless operators came from the ranks of railroad and postal telegraphers. In England a general call on the landline wire was a "CQ." "CQ" preceded time signals and special notices. "CQ" was generally adopted by telegraph and cable stations all over the world. By using "CQ," each station receives a message from a single transmission and an economy of time and labor was realized. Naturally, "CQ," went with the operators to sea and was likewise used for a general call. This sign for "all stations" was adopted soon after wireless came into being by both ships and shore stations.
In 1904, the Marconi company suggested the use of "CQD" for a distress signal. Although generally accepted to mean, "Come Quick Danger," that is not the case. It is a general call, "CQ," followed by "D," meaning distress. A strict interpretation would be "All stations, Distress."
At the second Berlin Radiotelegraphic Conference 1906, the subject of a danger signal was again addressed. Considerable discussion ensued and finally SOS was adopted. The thinking was that three dots, three dashes and three dots could not be misinterpreted. It was to be sent together as one string.
The Marconi Yearbook of Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony , 1918 states, "This signal [SOS] was adopted simply on account of its easy radiation and its unmistakable character. There is no special signification in the letter themselves, and it is entirely incorrect to put full stops between them [the letters]."
Although the use of "SOS" was officially ratified in 1908, the use of "CQD" lingered for several more years, especially in British service where it originated.

Answer 6

Save Our Ship

IIts the modern distress call for all ships on water. I believe it was changed from the original CQD after Titanic sank because SOS is a lot easier to put out in morse code (back then, primary communication)

Answer 7

Save our ship

Answer 8

Save Our Souls or in middle school it means SomeOneSpecial.

Answer 9

Send out ships

Answer 10

It could mean two different things. First, and most commonly, it is used for a call for for help by ships. It means, "Save our ship." If you are talking about food, though, it's means, "**** on a shingle."