Ship High In Transit In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had
to be transported by ship. It was also before the invention of
commercial fertilizer, 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
not only did it become heavier, but the process of
fermentation began again, of which a by-product is highly
explosive Methane gas.
As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles you can see
what could (and did) happen. Methane gas began to build up
below decks and the first time someone came below deck
at night, with a lantern, BOOOOM!!
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 S.H.I.T. on them which meant
"Ship High In Transit". The ships sailors then
would always stow it high enough off the lower
decks so that it would be above any water that was
or would come into the bilges. Now the manure would
not get wet from sea water and no Methane gas would
be formed.
Thus evolved the term "S.H.I.T.", 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 popular word.
Neither did I, I always thought it was
originated by golfers.
S.H.I.T.
by target 4 Replies latest social humour
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target
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SPAZnik
haha cute
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unclebruce
... and later when it was shipped in boxes it was stamped C.R.A.P. (Crates Rank And Putrid)
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DannyBear
Uncle B,
Crap that was cute.
Danny
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xjw_b12
Excuse me.
I must take offense to the lack of recognition and perhaps unintended defamation of my College. I am sure many of my colleagues from Ontario would be likewise offended. GO TIGERS !
xjw_b12 Graduated 1983 S carborough H eights I nstitute of T echnology
I have a school t-shirt to prove it !