Because port/starboard refers to the left/right side of the ship, regardless how the person orientated.
If you are facing the front of the ship, then yes, port = left.
If you are facing the back of the ship, port = right.
So it is very handy to have words that always refer to the same part of the ship.
(All the other terms, like front/bow and stern/rear, who cares? I dunno.)
your car also has a left and right side / driver’s right and driver’s left, mechanics are often looking at the engine bay from the front looking back so left is their right.
Actually the sides of a car would be referred to as the driver and the passenger sides of the car, but if I said left and right side everyone would know what I was talking about.
I never really understand nautical terms. Wall? No, that’s a bulkhead. Port, left, starboard, right. Bow, front, aft, rear. There are so many more, and I truly believe it is just to show who’s a sailor and who isn’t. (I also enjoy every time Dresden makes fun of this then slowly starts to do it himself)
Nah, all need to do for that is remember the port and left are both four letter words.
Front = Bow, fore
Back = Stern, aft
If you don’t get it right, I’ll throw your ass out the little round window on the side!
but which side??!??!?
Why do we need a different word for left and right when we ready have the words left and right?
Because port/starboard refers to the left/right side of the ship, regardless how the person orientated. If you are facing the front of the ship, then yes, port = left. If you are facing the back of the ship, port = right. So it is very handy to have words that always refer to the same part of the ship.
(All the other terms, like front/bow and stern/rear, who cares? I dunno.)
If I turn my head around and look backwards the right and left side of my body don’t change. It’s always in relation to the front of me.
If I referred to something being on the right side or left side of my car, anyone would know which side I meant.
In a car, sure, since 99% of the seats face the front. Same for an airplane. Left is left, right is right.
How would you do that with for instance a classic rowboat? Then your left is on the right side, no matter how you turn your head?
your car also has a left and right side / driver’s right and driver’s left, mechanics are often looking at the engine bay from the front looking back so left is their right.
Actually the sides of a car would be referred to as the driver and the passenger sides of the car, but if I said left and right side everyone would know what I was talking about.
I never really understand nautical terms. Wall? No, that’s a bulkhead. Port, left, starboard, right. Bow, front, aft, rear. There are so many more, and I truly believe it is just to show who’s a sailor and who isn’t. (I also enjoy every time Dresden makes fun of this then slowly starts to do it himself)