Mayday

The distress call "Mayday" originated in 1923, proposed by Frederick Stanley Mockford, a senior radio officer at Croydon Airport in London. It was adopted as an international standard in 1927 by the International Radiotelegraph Convention. The term comes from the French phrase m'aidez, meaning "help me," chosen for its clarity in radio communication. It was intended for use in aviation and maritime emergencies to signal life-threatening situations, ensuring a universal, unmistakable call for immediate assistance. The repetition (said three times, "Mayday Mayday Mayday") helps ensure clarity and distinguishes it from other communications.