You learn something everyday...here's your lesson:Manure: In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported
by ship and it was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large
shipments of manure were common.
It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet,
but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process
of fermentation began again, of which a by product is methane gas As the stuff
was stored below decks in bundles you can see what could (and did) happen.
Methane began to build up belobelow at
night with a lantern, BOOOOM!
Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just
Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just
what was happening. After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the term
'Ship High In Transit' on them, which meant for the sailors to stow it high
enough of off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold would
not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane.
Thus evolved the term ' S.H.I.T ' , (Ship High In Transport)
Thus evolved the term ' S.H.I.T ' , (Ship High In Transport)
which has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day.
You probably did not know the true history of this word. Neither did I. I had always thought it was a golfing term.
You probably did not know the true history of this word. Neither did I. I had always thought it was a golfing term.
