The Somalian shilling, the official currency of Somalia, goes by various synonyms, including SLS, SSO, and SOS. The abbreviation SOS has an interesting origin. It comes from the French phrase "Save Our Souls," a distress call used by ships in peril. When Somalia gained independence in 1960, it issued its first currency, the Somalian shilling, to replace the former Italian East African lira. The Somalian shilling's value has fluctuated significantly over the years, with inflation being the major drawback. Despite its challenges, the shilling remains an integral part of Somalia's economy and is widely used for daily transactions between citizens and traders.