larboard

Once upon a time, before sea language became standardized, sailors did not just rely on "left" and "right" to move across the high seas. Instead, they used "larboard" for the left side of the ship. On a moving vessel, "left" can be confusing because it depends on which way a person is facing, while "larboard" always meant the same side of the ship.

However, because "larboard" sounded so much like "starboard" (the right side), people could easily mishear it during a storm or battle. A mistaken order could cause serious trouble. In time, the Royal Navy officially changed to "port" for the left side and kept "starboard" for the right, making ship commands clearer. You will not hear "larboard" much anymore, but it still remains a charming reminder of nautical history.

"Larboard" is an archaic nautical term that historically designated the left side of a ship when facing forward. Think back to the days of the Great Age of Sail—on land, directions are simple, but on a vessel, they must be absolute. Sailors needed a consistent way to communicate, and "larboard" filled that role for centuries.

The word likely derives from the Middle English ladebord, meaning "loading side." In the era before central rudders, ships were steered with a large oar on the right side (the "starboard" or steer-board). To avoid damaging this expensive steering oar against the stone quays, sailors would always dock with the left side of the ship against the wharf to load their cargo—hence, the "loading board" or "larboard."

As seafaring became more complex, a life-threatening problem arose: "larboard" sounded remarkably similar to "starboard." In moments of urgency, high winds, or heavy fog, mishearing a pilot's command could have catastrophic consequences. To address this safety risk, the British Admiralty officially ordered the use of "port" in 1844 to replace the word "larboard," with the U.S. Navy following suit soon after.

While you won't find "larboard" on modern nautical charts, it still lives on in historical fiction, classic sea shanties, and maritime trivia. It is a linguistic relic that evokes images of tall ships and daring voyages, a word lost to the waves of standardization but preserved in the rich history of life at sea.