Ds & ods

[ILH]

Okay, no doubt this has an embarassingly simple answer - but I can't figure it out.

What does "DS" and "ODS" stand for on the lighting switches?

 

[danemayer]

Hi ILH,

Abbreviations are only obvious after you know them.

DS = Door Side. ODS = Off Door Side.

The door side has the entry door and is also sometimes called the curb side.

DS is simpler than saying "the right side when looking toward the front."

 

[rick_debbie_gallant]

I sometimes use the term "port" and "starboard". These are both terms used in the marine and also the aviation environment and are impossible to mess up. Plus they are colorful terms.

For example, it is a given that the front of the of the aircraft or watercraft (the pointy end) is always a constant and cant be confused with the back. With that in mind the "port" side is always on the "left" side of the craft and "starboard" is always on the "right" side of the craft.

The "DS? and "ODS" on the other hand could still be confusing. For example, What if you had a door on both sides of the RV? You would have two "DS" and zero "ODS", but you would still have a "port" and "starboard". Likewise for the terms "curbside" and "non-curbside". If you are on a oneway street which side is the "curbside" and which side is the "non-curbside".

To further add confusion, what if you are from "across the pond" where they drive on the wrong side of the road? Do they have their doors reversed on their "RV'S"? Now you see how beautiful "port" and "starboard" works. Just sayin!