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submitted 5 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[-] [email protected] 4 points 5 days ago
[-] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

you and the captain make it happen.

(just don't be captain save a ho)

[-] malin 1 points 4 days ago

Everyone saying the method they use to remember this, but nobody is saying why the terms are used instead of "left and right" in the first place.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 4 days ago

They are named like that so "P.O.S.H." works.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Because left and right are dependent on the direction you are currently facing. If they want to request that someone go to a specific side of the ship, it's much clearer with specific terms.

Source: Nope

[-] [email protected] 1 points 4 days ago

To avoid confusion about my left your left I'd wager.

[-] malin 1 points 4 days ago

What confusion? Everyone who isn't a complete nonce will immediately understanding we're referring to the direction of the ship.

Also, how can this fix confusion by causing more of it?

[-] [email protected] 1 points 4 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

/cut to two deck hands at the stern of the ship/

DH1: Can you grab the rope to the left?

DH2: My left or the ships left?

DH1: Ships left

DH2: Really wish we had terms for the ships left and right


Why not use Ships Left and Ships right all the time? Because if part of that gets drowned out and you only hear left and take an action contrary to what you're supposed to, you've now wasted time, effort and positioned yourself differently. Depending on the boat or ship that you're on, and depending the conditions, that can mean anything from a minor nuisance to potential death.

The point is to minimize errors. Not to streamline what makes it easier to learn.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago

If you say so.

It's also descriptive in the sense that the rudder used for steering was historically on the "right" side of the boat which is the natural place for it if you're right handed. Starboard, whatever its complete etymology is, comes from it being the "steering" side. Port is the side facing the port as you shouldn't have your rudder facing that direction.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 4 days ago

red and left - both short words. port and left - both short words.

right and green - both long words. starboard and right - both long words.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago

PORT is the spirit that's LEFT in the cupboard after the party

a STARBOARD would be RIGHT under your feet in space if it hasn't floated away

[-] [email protected] 1 points 4 days ago
[-] [email protected] 1 points 4 days ago

I always remember it by the anagram in letters

P.S. port starboard

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this post was submitted on 27 May 2025
948 points (99.8% liked)

Funny

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