Why and when did nautical terminology come into play?

Question

Also why don't they just use regulat terms like left instead of port or right instead of starboard?

Answer 1

Most skilled trades tend to develop a certain vernacular over the years, and this vernacular tends to separate the people inside the trade from those on the outside... Many parts of a ship were named in ancient times, and the ancient Greek or Latin terms have carried over into modern usage. Sailors also developed more modern nautical terms to describe parts of their ships, just as modern medical doctors and lawyers still use Latin and Greek words and terms to describe their methods and procedures.

Answer 2

It relates to the vernacular of the sailing vessels when England ruled the seas. Port is the side of the ship tied up to port, and starboard is the side where you can see the stars since the port lights aren't polluting the night sky.

Since you can be facing forward or aft on a vessel, the port side stays the same side, even though your left and right have changed. Also, the terms relate to the rules of he road for a sailing vessel. This was critical in the day of wind power only so that ships could safely dock and make other maneuvers in the harbor without collision. A sailing vessel making it's way to windward on starboard tack has right of way over vessels reaching across the wind or running withe the wind. It also has right of way over other vessels making their way to windward on port tack. And so on.

Answer 3

There are several long lists of nautical terms in everyday life, research it on google. OPort and starboard are essential because they refer to a particular side of the boat while someone is working on it, not depending on where he is or how the boat is moving. The port was the side the boat was brought into the dock with because the steeringboard was on the other side.