The signal is now probably the only thing that most people know how to communicate in morse code.<\/p>\n
Its simple formula of . . . \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 . . . which make up the letters SOS in the morse code alphabet is an easy message to understand.<\/p>\n
The message’s formula is also simple to send in a variety of different mediums with or without\u00a0technology<\/a>.<\/p>\n For example, you could communicate it via a transmitter using tones to spell out the signal.<\/p>\n Or alternatively, you could use a light and flash it in the pattern of the signal as a way to get attention, or even blink it as in one chilling case.<\/p>\n The code was first adopted in 1908 when the International Radiotelegraph Convention passed a motion which suggested that ‘ships in distress shall use the following signal: . . . \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 . . . repeated at brief intervals’.<\/p>\n Prior to this, different countries would have different codes that indicated a distress signal such as the ‘CQD’ signal, as well as the ‘NC’.<\/p>\n But what exactly does ‘SOS’ stand for if not ‘Save Our Souls’ or ‘Save Our Ship’?<\/p>\n The signal was first introduced in the early 20th century. (Stouffer)<\/cite><\/div>\n Well the answer is quite simply: nothing.<\/p>\n It wasn’t actually an acronym when it was proposed as a universal call for distress.<\/p>\n Of course, this begs the question of why those three letters in particular were chosen for the distress signal.<\/p>\n The answer is infuriatingly simple – it’s a very simple and easy signal to send out and understand in morse code.<\/p>\n When deciding which signal you want to use as the one to send out as a distress signal, it’s probably wise to make it one which is easy to remember and to interpret.<\/p>\n The term was intended as a universal distress signal. (adagr \/ Getty)<\/cite><\/div>\n After all in what is likely a very\u00a0stressful<\/a>\u00a0situation the last you’d want would be for a call for help to be overly convoluted.<\/p>\n It’s the same reason emergency numbers such as 911 in the\u00a0US<\/a>\u00a0or 999 in the\u00a0UK<\/a>\u00a0are easy to remember.<\/p>\n However, it took a while to catch on as many also sent the old ‘CQD’ as well, such Theodore D Haubner warning of SS Arapahoe’s distress or even the\u00a0Titanic’s<\/a>\u00a0senior wireless operator sending both signals.<\/p>\n But this still doesn’t explain why people think SOS stands for ‘Save Our Souls’.<\/p>\n This is an example of a ‘backronym’, when an acronym is ascribed to a pre-existing word.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/images.ladbible.com\/resize?type=webp&quality=70&width=3840&fit=contain&gravity=auto&url=https:\/\/images.ladbiblegroup.com\/v3\/assets\/blt949ea8e16e463049\/bltbeeda94b582a7816\/664cfa20a1878549a349cc3a\/GettyImages-172663027.jpg\")
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