How did the starboard side of the ship got its name?

Question

How did the starboard side of the ship got its name?

Answer 1

The origin of the term comes from old boating practices. Before ships had rudders on their centerline, they were steered by use of a specialized oar. This oar was held by an oarsman located in the stern (back) of the ship. However, like most of the rest of society, there were many more right-handed sailors than left-handed sailors. This meant that the steering oar (which had been broadened to provide better control) used to be affixed to the right side of the ship. The word starboard comes from Old English steorbord, literally meaning the side on which the ship is steered. The old English term stēorbord descends from the Old Norse words stýri meaning “rudder” (from the verb stýra, literally “being at the helm”, “having a hand in”) and borð meaning etymologically “board”, then the “side of a ship”. The modern term "steering wheel" comes from the same language root as "starboard" or "steer board".

Answer 2

Way back in ancient history, ships did not have a rudder in the center of the stern.  The rudder was actually a paddle which was dipped in the water over the side at the aft end of the boat.  

Take a look at a Viking double-ended vessel and imagine a series of men with oars rowing.  Now see a steersman in the back with a paddle over one side.  Make the paddle larger and fixed in position so he can turn it, but not lift it.  That paddle is a "steer board," which he uses to steer.  

The side of the ship with the "steer board" is the starboard side.

To prevent damage to the steer board, the other side was the side that went up alongside the dock when they were at the port.  Hence, it was the port side.