Chosen to be independent of a mariners orientation.
Starboard - most sailors were right handed and the steering oar was placed on the right. Star = steer. Board = side of boat.
Port - as steering oars got bigger, boats tended to dock on the left hand side. This became to be known as “lardboard” which sounded too much like starboard, so it was changed to “Port” (as in the side typically facing the port side.
Chosen to be independent of a mariners orientation.
Starboard - most sailors were right handed and the steering oar was placed on the right. Star = steer. Board = side of boat.
Port - as steering oars got bigger, boats tended to dock on the left hand side. This became to be known as “lardboard” which sounded too much like starboard, so it was changed to “Port” (as in the side typically facing the port side.