this post was submitted on 27 May 2025
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[–] radix@lemmy.world 83 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

Between "port" "starboard" "right" and "left" only two of the words have the same number of letters.

Left = Port

For the once per year I have to think about this, that's my mnemonic.

[–] Master@lemm.ee 12 points 2 weeks ago

When you are standing in the center of the boat looking forward just remember. Boats are like women! They have PmS! Port (on the left), me (in the middle), Starboard (on the right)!

[–] dondelelcaro@lemmy.world 10 points 2 weeks ago

A related more general mnemonic works for the running lights too. Red has fewer letters than green, so it goes with left which has fewer letters than right and port which has fewer letters than starboard.

[–] Haus@kbin.earth 6 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

You can also face forward and imagine the word "PISS" in the water.

[–] SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 11 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Is that supposed to be an acronym? "Port Isn't Starboard, Stupid?"

[–] kambusha@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

You could just imagine "PS", but I guess piss helps.

[–] Viking_Hippie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 2 weeks ago

I guess piss helps

That's actually rarely the case in my experience. Generally, I mean.

[–] reallykindasorta@slrpnk.net 1 points 2 weeks ago

I still remember the pneumonic for “pool” in Spanish that a high school classmate came up with: La Piscina — Piss in a pool.

[–] Rusty@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Fo you have any mnemonics for aft, fore, stern and bow?

[–] Kazumara@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 2 weeks ago

In German After is a scientific name for anus, so that's the back of the boat. Hope that helps

[–] WhiskyTangoFoxtrot@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

I remember "bow" from that scene in Karate Kid where Mr. Miyagi shook the boat and made Daniel fall in the water.