Definition of the word bail out

The term "bail out" originated during World War II in the context of aerial warfare. Bombers flying on dangerous missions over enemy territory required a way to bail out of their plane in the event of emergency. The crew member responsible for managing the weight and balance of the aircraft was known as the bailer-out officer. This title evolved into the term "bailout," which referred to ejecting oneself from the plane using a parachute. As the term became popularized, "bail out" began to be used more broadly to describe any situation where a large sum of money or financial support is provided to prevent a large-scale failure or collapse. The first documented use of "bail out" in this broader sense was in a 1984 New York Times article discussing rescue efforts for a failing savings and loan industry.