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'MAYDAY' Distress Hailing

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by brian eiland, Jan 3, 2012.

  1. brian eiland, Jan 3, 2012
    #1
    brian eiland

    brian eiland Senior Member

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    Something either I didn't know, or had forgotten.

    Q: Why do ships and aircraft use 'mayday' as their call for help?
    A: This comes from the French word m'aidez -meaning 'help me' -- and is pronounced, appropriately, 'mayday.'

    Mayday - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  2. Ken Bracewell, Jan 3, 2012
    #2
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    Pan Pan

    Two other radio terms originated in French:

    Pan (pronounced "Pahn") is derived from the French word panne. It means "breakdown"

    Securite (pronounced "Securitay") is a French word meaning Security (Which is how most American VHF radio operators say it)
  3. K1W1, Jan 3, 2012
    #3
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    In France if a car breaksdown or you are towing it a sign "en panne" in the back window seems to be the norm.

    I was told a literal translation was "in pain"
  4. AMG, Jan 3, 2012
    #4
    AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    Depannage, these guys are your friends if your car breaks down in Monaco, but not if you have parked where you shouldn´t...;)

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