2736: Port and Starboard Jun 17, 2024

On a ship, “port and starboard” refer to the left and right, relative to the direction the boat is facing. While it is clear why these terms are more useful than “left and right” as people move around the ship, it would not immediately be clear why in particular. ‘Starboard’ has been modified somewhat since Old English stēorbord (i.e. “steer board”), but this is the side old rutters emerged from the water on, to make it easier for majority right-handed steerers. Port is named from the ancient convention of boarding on this side of the ship, since a dock would need to pick one, and this became the norm everywhere, with this convention carrying over into modern passenger aircraft, so have a look next time you’re at the airport.