2007-04-01 15:21:16 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
S and O are the shortest and least confusing signals to send in morse code.dot,dot,dot,dash,dash,dash,dot,dot,dot.The acronyms save our ship and save our souls were made up later.When voice communication came along,the distress call became m'aidez(mayday)help me in French.
2007-04-01 15:24:18 · answer #1 · answered by kevin k 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It does not mean "save our souls" or anything similar. It was chosen as being one of the simplest combinations of Morse code letters to send (being ... - - - ... in Morse code) at the Second Berlin Radiotelegraphy Conference in 1906; At that time all radio signals were in Morse code -- voice transmission was years away. Earlier, the Marconi company (makers of the first radio transmitters and receivers) had suggested using CQD as a distress call. CQ was used in Britain as the telegraph abbreviation for "all stations" and D stood fro "distress". However, this was not an easily recognized (or distinct) signal, and at the Berlin Conference it was decided to use SOS, rather than original distress call of CQD, because even if a radio operator was not very skilled, or was injured he/she was still likely to be able to transmit this simple combination, or recognize it as soon as it was heard.
2007-04-01 22:28:05 · answer #2 · answered by P. M 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
SOS ...---...
1910, from International Morse code letters, chosen arbitrarily as being easy to transmit and difficult to mistake.
Not an acronym for "save our ship" or anything else.
Won out over alternate suggestion C.Q.D., which is said to mean "come quickly, distress," or "CQ," general call for alerting other ships that a message follows, and "D" for danger.
SOS is the telegraphic distress signal only; the oral equivalent is mayday.
2007-04-01 23:20:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's an association of "save our ship". Not how it started out though. It's a based on international morse code signal that was easy to distinguish.
2007-04-01 22:30:50 · answer #4 · answered by Walter M 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Distress signal, originally for being sent in Morse code.
...---..., 3 dots 3 dashes 3 dots. I don't think that it really means anything or is an abbreviation for anything.
I guess it could be "Save our suitcases."
2007-04-01 22:29:14 · answer #5 · answered by Charlie T 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
sailor overboard signal???
But soon found out I was wrong! Follow the link below. Turns out it is just an easy and recognizable morse code signal!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SOS
2007-04-01 22:30:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
S.O.S is short for Save Our Souls. It's used to alert other people when a someone is in danger. (Often using morse code)
2007-04-01 22:25:07 · answer #7 · answered by Phyllis 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
STRANDED ON SEA - It was originally created by sailors/fishermen/boaters that were stranded in the midst of the waters.
2007-04-01 22:24:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
save our souls
2007-04-01 22:25:21 · answer #9 · answered by candydot585 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No one can say exactly, but the most common belief is...
Save
Our
Souls.
2007-04-01 22:25:50 · answer #10 · answered by Alexandra 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋