wtf is all of this terminology?

[Knyghtmayre]

just started on as a deckhand for a couple of reasons, foremost being the comparatively amazing pay:skills required ratio. but during training, i've learned that they call every fucking thing something else.

port=left
starboard=right
stern=back
bow=front
fore-and-aft=vertical wires
abreast=horizontal wires
e
t
c
.

wtf is the point of all of this shit? the hardest part of this training is remembering the 500 new synonyms for all the words that already exist and are cemented into my brain and have been since i was 2. Why do mariners think they are so special that they had to rename every goddamn word ffs, JUST SAY LEFT YOU STUPID FUCK FROM WEST VIRGINIA THAT SOUNDS LIKE POPEYE

[Qalbert]

left and right are relative to you, starboard and port are relative to the ship

[Kiarax]

Dude even I know that shit and I have only been on like two boats in my entire life.

[Sup3rB4d]

question: how much does "etc" actually cover? If you are having a hard time replacing 6 words the problem is you.

[Knyghtmayre]

where should i run this wire?
off that kevel on the left side
off that kevel on your left side

all they have to do is modify the goddamn article, not invent an entirely new language, don't make me revoke my vote for your modness, I WILL DO THIS

[Qalbert]

I'm just saying from what I understand that's part of the reasoning for it.

[Blarg]

there is no up in space

[Knyghtmayre]

and it's not just 6 words, it's literally like 20 or so object names, which i can understand since idk wtf else to call them anyway, about 10 different terms for types of wires (terms which either exist elsewhere in the world and i know what they mean, or terms that are synonymous with other terms that i know the meaning but cannot refer to them as), about 20 different terms for types of wiring, 10ish pieces of equipment that are renamed to random shit like toothpick and asshole. seriously, asshole is a term, wtf

[Qalbert]

to be fair it also sounds cooler
ENEMY U-BOAT OFF THE PORT BOW
vs
ENEMY U-BOAT TO THE LEFT/FRONT

[Knyghtmayre]

and then there's the complete modification of all relative location terms

[Blarg]

well if you capsize you would be all confused with left and right because you would be all upside down and it's like a mirror in the ocean an oceanmirror of sorts

[Akanei]

ARE YOU ON A SHRIMPIN OR CRAWDAD BOAT!?

[Akiyama]

can this terminology be used for an incredibly fat woman?

[Knyghtmayre]

who the hell says crawdad? no, i work in a barge fleet

A FLEET

[Conrad]

ARE YOU ON A SHRIMPIN OR CRAWDAD BOAT!?

LIEUTENANT DAN YOU GOT MAGIC LEGS

[Qalbert]

SRIMPS

[Qalbert]

also for the longest time I didn't know Lt Dan was on CSI NY

[Sup3rB4d]

If you honestly believe you don't need the words you are having to learn then don't use them. I'm sure nobody will flip shit if you say "left" and they can clearly understand you.

[Alleya]

And then he never posts again because he says "left" and some rigging brains the captain and they all sink and drown.

[Mertron]

LIEUTENANT DAN YOU GOT MAGIC LEGS

its probably because i just got home from boozin but i laughed so hard i think some pee came out