[BITList] Port and Starboard

[HUGH]

John,

In Denmark we used the abbreviations BB (bagbord) and SB (styrbord) for port and starboard.  Starboard derives from styrbord, or the Old English similar, as near as I can recall, the "bord" or side on which the steering oar was hung.  Styr is close to our "steer". For obvious reasons the vessel berthed with its other side towards the land, hence "landbord" or "larboard" in some languages - I find I don't know why the Danish is bagbord.  Larboard was changed to "port" (left in French) to avoid confusion in English.

Hugh.
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