Why do we need a different word for left and right when we ready have the words left and right?
Comment on Tattoo
capt_wolf@lemmy.world 1 day agoNah, 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!
Zamboni_Driver@lemmy.ca 1 day ago
Darkblue@lemmy.world 1 day ago
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.)
Zamboni_Driver@lemmy.ca 1 day ago
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.
Ariselas@piefed.ca 1 day ago
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.
Darkblue@lemmy.world 20 hours ago
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?
unphazed@lemmy.world 1 day ago
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)
rumba@lemmy.zip 1 day ago
but which side??!??!?