SOS doesn't actually stand for anything; it is a Morse Code distress signal.
Many people mistakenly believe that "SOS" is an abbreviation for phrases like "save our souls" or "save our ship." However, according to the reference, "SOS" is simply a distress signal represented in Morse Code. Morse Code is a communication system using dots, dashes, and spaces to represent letters and numbers. The simplicity and distinctiveness of the "SOS" pattern (··· – – – ···) made it easily recognizable and distinguishable, especially in noisy environments or with weak signals.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Doesn't stand for anything |
| Purpose | Morse Code distress signal |
| Morse Code | ··· – – – ··· (three dots, three dashes, three dots) |
| Common Mistake | Often thought to mean "save our souls" |
