SOS is an internationally recognized Morse code distress signal consisting of three dots, three dashes, and three dots (· · · – – – · · ·). It was originally established for maritime use and officially adopted in 1906 as a simple and unmistakable emergency signal
. Contrary to popular belief, SOS does not stand for any specific phrase. It is not an acronym but a distinctive Morse code sequence chosen for its simplicity and ease of recognition. The commonly associated mnemonic phrases like "Save Our Souls" or "Save Our Ship" were created later as backronyms and are not the original meaning of SOS
. SOS was selected because its pattern is easy to transmit and recognize, and it is visually symmetrical and palindromic, making it effective as a distress call. It replaced earlier distress signals like CQD and became the international standard for signaling emergencies at sea
. In summary:
- SOS is a Morse code distress signal (· · · – – – · · ·), not an acronym.
- It does not officially stand for "Save Our Souls" or "Save Our Ship"; these are popular backronyms.
- It was adopted internationally in 1906 to provide a clear, simple emergency signal.
- Its use has since expanded beyond maritime contexts to general indications of crisis or urgent need for help
