mayday
See also: May Day
TranslingualEdit
EtymologyEdit
From French m'aider, short for Venez m'aider! or Viens m'aider! (“Come help me!”).
PronunciationEdit
InterjectionEdit
mayday
- (radio) emergency, need assistance
- 2004, Ken Wishaw, Helicopter Rescue: The true story of Australia's first full-time chopper doctor, page 82
- 'Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!' came the call.
- 2004, Ken Wishaw, Helicopter Rescue: The true story of Australia's first full-time chopper doctor, page 82
Usage notesEdit
When making a distress call, mayday is said three times in succession (mayday, mayday, mayday) to signal that the message is an actual distress signal (as opposed to, e.g., a message about a mayday signal, or a mention of May Day or something else sounding similar to mayday).
SynonymsEdit
TranslationsEdit
The call mayday is the international standard emergency call. However, many local variations also exist.
emergency, need assistance
See alsoEdit
EnglishEdit
Alternative formsEdit
PronunciationEdit
NounEdit
mayday (plural maydays)
- An international distress signal used by shipping and aircraft.
- 2002, Clive Cussler, Valhalla Rising, page 47
- "Odd that she hasn't sent out a Mayday."
"That is curious. Her radio must be disabled."
- "Odd that she hasn't sent out a Mayday."
- 2002, Clive Cussler, Valhalla Rising, page 47
Related termsEdit
TranslationsEdit
international distress signal used by shipping and aircraft
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