Fun fact: The direction “North by Northwest” does not exist. The name for the direction 11+1⁄4° west of north is “North by West”.
http://ahoy.tk-jk.net/macslog/BoxingtheCompas.html
“By” in a compass direction can only be followed by North, South, East, or West. I assume the intent was to minimize the number of syllables when giving commands to the helmsman.
So names like the South by Southwest music festival and others using the same formula were designed with malice to drive mariners crazy.
[polishes anchor bar on coveted pendant]
