2006-09-01 07:22:38 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Trivia
The actual origin of the term "port" is speculated to be because the left side of old merchant sailing ships had a loading or entry port. The right side had a steering board that hung over the side of the ship (before the invention of rudders) which is where the term starboard comes from. So if the steering board hung over the right side, the boat would need to dock on its left side, or put into port on its left side.
Other teory is: The term " Port" was originally " LARBOARD" . With shouted orders, this was confusing in any sort of strong wind, so it was changed to 'PORT". The term " STARBOARD" is an alteration of the term "STEERBOARD", the side of the ship on which the steering oar was fixed.
Here's a trivia: How comes holes on the starboard side are called portholes instead of starboardholes?" Check here for the answer: http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/origin.htm
2006-09-01 10:47:48 · answer #1 · answered by gospieler 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Port is left
Starborad is right
This also gives us the derivation of the word posh. On cruises from Europe to the East in the old days all the rich people wanted a cabin on the left (port) side of the ship on the way there and right (starboard) on the way back so they would be out of the sun hence it said on their ticket "Port Out Starboard Home" or POSH.
2006-09-02 03:33:13 · answer #2 · answered by tiggeronvrb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word boards was used to describe the side of the ship because it was made of wood. When ships were at a dock, the left side was closest to the shore...port side. The starboard side of the ship was to the right, facing the open water and the stars.
2006-09-01 07:46:58 · answer #3 · answered by tichur 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know that starboard comes from Steer board (what the rutter use to be called on ships) and port most likely means just that, the side of the ship that is parked/docked against the dock of the PORT they were at.
2006-09-01 07:30:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Why are the sides of a boat called PORT and STARBOARD?
2015-08-16 15:37:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before ships had a central rudder, the steering board was attached to the right side of the stern. When docking, ya didn't want to break it, so you put the other side to the port.
So we have port and steering board (starboard) sides.
2006-09-01 07:30:39 · answer #6 · answered by Howard D 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋