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Because the words come from Dutch nautical terms. “Starboard” is really “Steer-board”, an external keel on one side of a boat. Therefore Port is the only side of the boat that can dock to the port.


The old Norse term "stjόrnborði" likely predates the dutch and old English terms, fwiw.

Stjόrn means stern, so the back of the boat. I'm guess borði refers to the rudder itself, meaning plank.

From what I gather the OP story is bunk. It's easy to verify.


Yes, this is exactly what the fine article says. It's not very long.


Old English, actually, as the very succinct OP explains




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