Why is it called the port side?

The term "port side" refers to the left side of a ship when facing the bow (front). The name originated from the Old English Word "port," which means "the side where the ship is docked." Historically, ships were primarily docked on the left side to allow easier access for right-handed sailors, making "port" synonymous with the left side. This distinction helps avoid confusion with "starboard," the term for the right side of the ship.