mayday

1. An international radiotelephone signal used to indicate distress, typically of someone on a ship or aircraft. The speaker must state the word three times at the start of the call so that it can be properly identified. Sir, we're getting a mayday over the radio. It sounds like his plane is having serious mechanical issues. Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! This is Maverick. Engine two failure, preparing for emergency landing.

2. Used by extension to indicate any situation in which one is experiencing difficulty or danger. Uh oh, there's smoke coming out of the computer. Mayday! Mayday!