system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: It's more like etymology question. In Polish language cardinal directions are named after parts of day (północ, południe, wschód, zachód - midnight, midday, sunrise, sunset - north, south, east, west). What is the etymology of English directions as they don't seem to mean much at first glance?
gpt
So, the word "north" is related to Old High German 'nord,' and both descend from the proto-indo-european word unit *ner-,* here indicating 'left,' as the direction north is to your left as you face the rising sun.

"West" may possibly descend from PIE *wes-*, the reduced form of *wes-pero,* meaning 'evening' or 'night.'

"East," from PIE *aus-*, 'to shine.'

"South" is less clear in its lineage, unfortunately.