I remember temple of the fist as "Fore = Forward/front" and the other one as sides. (usually wait at the side by default in case im too slow to make that connection)

But I never understood the point of saying port,stern,fore,aft.
people say its because left/right is too vague, to which the same applies to port/stern.
"Who's left/right?"
Who's port/stern? mine or yours?

Obviously the ships, which is why they dont say "The ships" port/stern.

So i can only guess the real reason is that the words originated nearly the same time left/right (and their language equivalent) came about.