S OS is widely recognized as the universal distress signal, but contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t stand for anything.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. The BBC News Magazine has an interesting look at changes in distress communications in the ...

We use it in our texts and everyday slang. So, what does "SOS" actually mean? Here's everything you need to know about the term and its military origins, plus the feature on your iPhone that utilizes ...