may day

[angeldraws]

does anyone know - does the term 'may day' - the call for help/distress - come from the French - "m'aider"?????

[jeanyb]

Hi angeldraws - have a look at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayday_(distress_ signal)

[sddsddean]

Mayday? that was weeks ago, its nearly September!! (with apologies to Tony Hancock)

[Buenchico]

As you suggest, the Oxford Dictionary gives the French for "help me" as the most likely source.

These days, 'mayday' should only be used by mariners where there is immediate risk to life. The call for assistance in other circumstances (e.g. when a vessel is drifting due to engine failure but is not at immediate risk of colliding with rocks or other shipping) is 'pan pan'. If anyone knows where that comes from, I'd love to know.

Chris

[RATTER15]

Buenchico, check out this: http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t= 237451

Pan Pan come from french word Panne meaning mechanical failure.

[Buenchico]

For Ratter15 (with apologies to Angeldraws for stealing the thread):

Thanks for that. I'm not a sailor myself but I've asked many people who are and nobody has known the answer.

Thanks again,

Chris

[kempie]

Eerie... Pan Pan came up on Wednesday

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Phrases_and_Say ings/Question276876.html

[angeldraws]

Thanks guys - and no prob Buenchico - you're welcome.....

sddsddean - Yes i'm aware but my fave is May the 4th be wiv you!!!!! Jedi fans????????

Lol

[heathfield]

Not just mariners - 'Mayday' also applies to aircraft.