this post was submitted on 06 Oct 2023
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Funny: Home of the Haha

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[–] [email protected] 69 points 1 year ago (9 children)

I always remember that port and left both are the shorter word, and have the same number of letters.

[–] [email protected] 22 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Do we have any red port wine left?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

There's only a right way to find out

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Honestly, yeah. That's what I relied on as well and what was taught to me. Also what I then taught to the people under me. I have no other real way of understanding it. I know why we use port/starboard but I've never looked into why port/starboard are the words we've stuck with.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago

That's easy. We use 'port' because that's the left side, and 'starboard' because that's the other side of the boat.

No, no. No need to thank me. I'm just one humble man trading information gleaned from a long life of learning.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

IIRC, it was because the tiller for the rudder (with which you steer) was on the right side. (Styrbord in Swedish = steer board) As to why you have port in English, I have no idea. It's babord in Swedish, from bakbord (back board) as when steering, the left side was behind you.

Edit: Apparently it's port because you'd dock with the left side to the port as otherwise you'd crush the rudder, which again was on the right.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

My grandfather was a bomber pilot and he always remembered it by picturing himself flying north along the east coast, where all the ports would be on the left.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Did he never have to fly back?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

In his mind's eye he could fly north forever.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (3 children)

That's essentially how I always remember it. Port and left both have 4 letters.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (3 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I dunno if the color has anything to do with it necessary. Maybe it does but I'm no seamen.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Lights on large vehicles (both sea and sky) always have red on the left and green on the right so that people can tell which direction you're facing even if it's too dark to see the vehicle itself

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

The more you know! I guess I have seen it. I just never really connected the dots there

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

The H is both silent and invisible

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

By not boating at night

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Just like fork, so the fork goes on the left!

I learned that from Roseanne.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I just think of "PS" like in a letter.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Additionally, "starboard" has 'r's (for "right").

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 year ago (2 children)
[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

yes for "right, then (slaps knees), let's turn left"

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Ope think you left a little on you there, lemme just get that fer ya

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

But starboard has 2

And two times right is right; less times right is left

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Also, the old name for "port" is "larboard", which starts with an L for left.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Port is short. My BIL taught me that this summer!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

and even, as in even numbers.

Port, left, even...all words an even number of letters Starboard, right, odd...all words are an odd number of letters.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Starbucks is always on the right side of the road!