A historic and regional term referring to the left side of a ship when facing forward, now universally known as the port side. The term originates from the days when steering oars were mounted on the right side (starboard), forcing the helmsman to turn their back to the left side of the boat.
Heard on the job
Stow those casks on the backboard side to trim the vessel.
Also heard as
- larboard
- port
Do not mix it up with
- Starboard: Starboard is the right side, while backboard is the historic term for the left.