I recently had a discussion about this. What actually does SOS stand for. I was always under the impression that it was.....Save Our Souls. I have also heard.....Save Our Ship. Anyone know?

 

".......... The world is a Vampire................................."

 

***** on a Shingle (if you're talking about food)


From the beginning, the SOS distress signal has actually consisted of a continuous sequence of three-dits/three-dahs/three-dits, all run together. 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 Souls", "Save Our Ship", 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.

 

Here ya go LT...

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]." All the popular interpretations of "SOS," "Save or Ship," "Save Our Souls," or "Send Out Succour" are simply not valid. Stations hearing this distress call were to immediately cease handling traffic until the emergency was over and were likewise bound to answer the distress signal.


For more.....http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/060199tip6.htm


BREW

 

Great guys, thanks. I could have googled, but I knew this would be quicker and the real explanation would be easier to understand here. I actually heard that SOS really didn't mean anything, but wasn't sure on how it all came about. I knew you smart guys would come through. Now I can go back and explain and I will look smart!!!

 

Hmmm..not more than a week ago you were calling me a smart a**


BREW

 

Yes, but smart a$$ meant with affection.

 

:o you always do this to me :o


I gotta get my beauty rest now...good night LT..

BREW

 

SOS is also a food. Gotta go to work in a few hours and I got a killer toothache.

 

Night sweetie.....talk to you soon.

 

Yup....Sh** On a Shingle....it was mentioned here. My dad always said that. He was in the Navy. Isn't it ground beef on toast or something?

Sorry about your tooth.

 

You got it.

 

Any good? Never actually tried it. Had Sloppy Joe's, but never Shi! On a Shingle.

 

I liked it. My Dad made it and I also ate it in the military.

 

Have to try it someday. What do you put in the beef? Onions? Spices? Anything? I want to make Shi! On a Shingle. Gotta love that name.