Re:Why do ships use “port” and “starboard” instead of “left”...
by lynguist on Wednesday April 19, 2023 @09:55AM
(#35628163)
In German it’s Steuerbord (meaning the same as starboard) and Backbord (compare Middle Low German ba(c)kbōrt and Dutch bakboort; oldest mention of this form is from old English: bæcbord!)
The word ‘back’ in German meaning ‘back’ in English doesn’t even exist. Only in this one loanword from Low German.
Only today I looked up this word, I never knew or understood that Backbord is literally backboard.
The word ‘back’ in German meaning ‘back’ in English doesn’t even exist. Only in this one loanword from Low German.
Only today I looked up this word, I never knew or understood that Backbord is literally backboard.