2007-06-19 11:21:06 · 19 answers · asked by David 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
these explain it all.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SOS
http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/060199tip6.htm
hope i helped
2007-06-19 11:30:27 · answer #1 · answered by Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
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-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 write it with a bar above the letters, i.e. SOS.
In popular usage, SOS became associated with phrases such as "Save Our Souls," "Save Our Ship," "Sink Our Ships,""Survivors On Ship," "Save Our Sailors" "Stop Other Signals" "Sink Or Swim", "Send Out Sailors", "Save Our Skins", and "Send Out Someone" . However, these phrases were a later development, most likely used to help remember the correct letters—something known as a backronym.
2007-06-19 18:29:02 · answer #2 · answered by M 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
SOS is the international distress code in Morse Code. It's not supposed to be an acronym, that is, it doesn't stand for anything like "save our ship" or "save our souls." Therefore, the proper way to write it is "SOS" with just the letters, not with a period following each letter.
SOS was chosen as a distress code because it's easy to remember, it's easy to send in Morse code (even if you're scared spitless), and it sounds very distinctive when you hear it coming over a speaker. For a distress signal, that's a VERY good thing.
2007-06-19 18:27:59 · answer #3 · answered by Navigator 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I suppose it depends on whether you mean:
SOS
1. the letters represented by the radio telegraphic signal (··· – – – ···) used, esp. by ships in distress, as an internationally recognized call for help.
–noun
2. any call for help: We sent out an SOS for more typists.
–verb (used without object)
3. to send an SOS.
-OR-
s.o.s.
(in prescriptions) if needed. if necessary.
Latin Origin: < L sī opus sit
2007-06-19 18:28:35 · answer #4 · answered by E.K. 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Save Our Ship, or, alternatively, Save Our Souls
2007-06-19 18:25:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It originated with sailors, it was a term they used when they were in trouble at sea. It means Save Our Ship.
2007-06-23 12:02:19 · answer #6 · answered by alirob66 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Save our Souls
2007-06-19 18:24:23 · answer #7 · answered by Brendan D 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well i personally think it means
Save our souls
or
Save our ship
it is a destress call in morscode using the easy combonation
short short short
long long long
short short short...
hope this has answered it
Regards,
><> Fish <><
2007-06-19 18:33:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Save Our soul
2007-06-19 18:24:12 · answer #9 · answered by buckko 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It means "Save Our Souls"
2007-06-23 07:38:06 · answer #10 · answered by Only Me 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When I was in 5th grade a man who was in his early 80's (from Pearl Harbor) taught me it was Save Our Ship.
Just google it... I know it's ship, not souls. lol
2007-06-19 18:25:18 · answer #11 · answered by Student 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋