Debunked Myths

The belief that SOS stands for 'Save Our Souls' or 'Save Our Ship' is a classic 'backronym'—a meaning invented after the fact to fit memorable letters. The truth is more practical and elegant. When adopted internationally in 1908, the signal was chosen purely for its unmistakable pattern in Morse code: three dots, three dashes, three dots (· · · — — — · · ·).

This sequence is brilliantly functional: it's simple to remember, easy to send in emergencies, and highly distinct from other transmissions. The letters 'SOS' themselves were arbitrary—just a convenient way to represent this specific pattern. The emotional meanings we've attached over the years reflect our human need to imbue life-saving signals with narrative weight.

The real story is one of brilliant, universal design—a cry for help built not on language, but on the most fundamental and recognizable rhythm in telegraphic communication. It's a reminder that sometimes the most effective solutions are the simplest ones, designed for clarity rather than poetry.