ELI5 Port and Starboard - why not just left and right?

ELI5 Port and Starboard - why not just left and right?

Author: ELI5 Explain Like I'm Five Podcast April 28, 2023 Duration: 6:34
Why do ships use “port” and “starboard” instead of “left” and “right?” Where did the terms originate? What does “aft” mean and why is it different from the stern? Why do large ships have their anchors in the bow and not the stern or either port or starboard sides?  ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: jattopotamus, dbht14, commissaraj, quintus_horatius and proofbox To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

Ever find yourself wondering about something seemingly simple, but the answers online are full of jargon? That's where ELI5 Explain Like I'm 5: Bite sized answers to stuff you should know about-in a mini podcast comes in. Each episode grabs a curious question-maybe why the sky is blue, how electricity actually works, or the history behind a common tradition-and breaks it down into clear, digestible pieces. The aim is genuine understanding, not just a quick fact. Sourced from the vibrant curiosity of the Reddit community, this podcast transforms those everyday "how" and "why" mysteries into short, focused conversations. You'll hear about topics spanning science, culture, society, and our planet, all explained as if to a bright five-year-old, which turns out to be the perfect clarity level for anyone. It’s for the casually inquisitive, the lifelong learner, or anyone who just wants a straightforward answer without the lecture. Tune in for a few minutes and come away a little more informed about the world, one simple explanation at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

ELI5 Explain Like I'm 5: Bite sized answers to stuff you should know about - in a mini podcast
Podcast Episodes
ELI5 Pirates - why fly the skull and bones flag? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:12
What was the point of the skull and bones pirate flag? why would you give away that you are a pirate? What does no quarter mean? What is the jolly roger? With pirates in literature like Blackbeard, Calico Jack, Long John…
ELI5 The Metric System - why is lbs the abbreviation for pounds? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:37
Why is the abbreviation for the unit of weight, pounds LBS? Where did the metric system come from in the first place? Why is it so confusing to figure out if the USA an adopter of the metric system or not? Is there a met…
ELI5 Ketchup - which country did the word ketchup originate from? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:21
Where did the word ketchup come from? Why do the Cantonese and Malaysians both claim it originated from their languages? Where does the Indonesian, French and Arabic connections come in? What makes Ketchup special as a n…
ELI5 Tomatoes - fruit or vegetable? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:29
Are tomatoes a fruit or vegetable? Why is ketchup considered a legal vegetable in California? Why are sun-dried tomatoes safe to eat, while eating a tomato you left on the windowsill for too long would probably make you…
ELI5 The Streisand Effect - what makes it so universal? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:59
What is the Streisand effect? How was Barbara Streisand involved? Why is it such a universal from China to South Africa? What are the implications of the Streisand Effect in recent ‘right to be forgotten’ legal cases? ..…
ELI5 Food Pyramid - why all the criticism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:32
How and when did the food pyramid originate? What has since replaced it? What is the Sweden connection? Why have many people been critical of the food pyramid? What is the hamburger question? ... we explain like I'm five…
ELI5 Heart Rate Monitors - what types are most accurate? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:06
Why do cardio machines require you to put two hands on them to measure your heart beat when a wrist watch can do it just with one wrist? What’s the difference between an ECG and EKG? Which types of monitor is most accura…
ELI5 Bank Runs - why does a run on the bank happen? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:46
What is a run on the bank? Why it can happen in a fractional reserve banking system? What’s the best thing to do when there’s a bank run? When was the first bank run? Can we prevent bank runs? ... we explain like I'm fiv…