I see it used all of the time but I've never though of a reasonable answer for its initials.
2006-12-24 10:44:08 · 32 answers · asked by silentFLAME 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
It was devised as a universally-recognizable emergency call shortly after the sinking of the Titanic. Every nation in the world agreed, in conference, that this simple and easily-recognizable set of letters, transmitted via Morse code over radio, that SOS means "I am in trouble and I need help!". Despite rumor to the contrary, there are no words to go with this combination of letters. It does NOT mean "save our ship". When it is needed, the radio operator of a vessel at sea (or anyone else in need of emergency help) sends the signal SOS three times, then sends his/her location, then repeats the SOS, then repeats the location, then sends SOS and repeats... Either until rescued or the radio goes dead, or until they receive a response by radio and are instructed to behave otherwise by rescue personell.
2006-12-24 11:04:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
SOS is the commonly used description for the International Morse code distress signal (· · · - - - · · ·). 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-dots/three-dashes/three-dots, all run together without letter spacing. In International Morse Code, three dots form the letter S, and three dashes make the letter O, so "SOS" became an easy way to remember the correct order of the dots and dashes. 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. SOS.
In popular usage, SOS became associated with phrases such as "Save Our Ship," "Save Our Souls," "Survivors On Ship," "Save Our Sailors" "Stop Other Signals" 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.
2006-12-24 11:25:00 · answer #2 · answered by Bomalabs 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
save our souls . short for save our souls from being lost at sea.
IE 100 souls were lost at sea.
later some referred to this as save our ship but that is not really what is meant but non the less it usage is too alert others that there ship is in trouble and aid from other ships is needed.
this was Morse code s o s . Morse code is no longer the used international method of communication and in the last few years it was officially removed as a required knowledge for a ships communication officer or other officers.
2006-12-24 10:49:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
SOS does not accually stand for anything. It is just the easiest sequence possible in morse code(3 shorts (dots), 3 longs(dashes), & 3 shorts again). It's idiot proof! This is so that anybody on the ship can call for help if the operator isn't able to.
2006-12-24 11:00:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, it stands for NOTHING. It was choosen because it had no meaning in any language, which could confuse the message. It is also very easy to remember and send (... --- ...). It is an INTERNATIONAL code, and so does NOT stand for "Save Our S..." or anything else in English.
It was invented after the sinking of the Titanic, because three ships heard the Titanic's distress call, but none of them understood English, so they did not respond.
So it stand for nothing - just means "help".
2006-12-24 10:55:13 · answer #5 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Save Our Souls
2006-12-24 10:45:31 · answer #6 · answered by daweeney 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Save our ship-it was standard distress call signal sent by ships at sea in trouble before sending latitude and longatude as well as nature of distress. Any ships hearing the call were supposed to go to the aid of the distressed ship no matter what.
2006-12-25 03:08:26 · answer #7 · answered by Ralph T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Save our Ship
http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/060199tip6.htm
2006-12-24 10:52:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.O.S. although we commonly think it means Save Our Ship and/or Save Our Souls - it actually has a unique history that did not mean that in morse code.
Good Luck!!!
2006-12-24 10:49:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Save our Souls
2006-12-24 10:59:38 · answer #10 · answered by Lava 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋