Hi 2close,
Mayday is an anglicized version of the French m'aidez (help me) or m'aider (to render help to me).
ORIGIN OF PAN PAN (URGENCY DISTRESS CALL)
From the French word 'panne' --which roughly translates to breakdown. In radio telephony, the word PAN is repeated three times pronouncing it as the French word 'panne'.
F5NOD, Gil Gautier confirms "It's correct ! French "Panne" means "breakdown" ... or "out of service" or "out of order". When you have a Car "Panne" you have to fixe it !! ;-) ..
Best to all,
PE
Last edited by planeenglish; 3rd August 2006 at 11:33.