>Who knew?
>
>Manure: In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported
>by ship; this 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.
>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 below decks and the first time someone came below 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 words
>"Ship High In Transit" on them, which meant for the sailors to stow it high enough off
>the lower decks 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 Transit) 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.
>
>Manure: In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported
>by ship; this 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.
>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 below decks and the first time someone came below 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 words
>"Ship High In Transit" on them, which meant for the sailors to stow it high enough off
>the lower decks 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 Transit) 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.
:mischeif:
Don't you just hate it when that happens.....
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