this post was submitted on 06 Oct 2023
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Funny: Home of the Haha

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Actually had one of these on my boat when I was growing up. Vital piece of tech. (startrek.website)
submitted 1 year ago by Stamets@startrek.website to c/funny@lemmy.world
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[–] Depress_Mode@lemmy.world 17 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (4 children)

Historically, boats had rudders (or “steer boards”) along the side of the ship instead of in the middle like we’d see them today. It was always on the right side of the boat, so to avoid smashing your rudder into the dock, you’d dock your ship on the other side. That means it was always the left side that literally faced the port, while starboard faced out into open water to protect that side from damage.

[–] Vent@lemm.ee 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

TIL about steer boards, thanks!

medieval ships, lots of which have steer boards

[–] jarfil@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

rudders (or “steer boards”)

The "board" part comes from "side of a ship", as in "the board where the steer is attached".

Same meaning as in "going over-board".

[–] brygphilomena@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Port used to be larboard. I'm sure that wasn't at all confusing.

[–] DogMuffins@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 year ago

whaat.

This makes so much sense.