Manure...A True Story!

Manure: In the 16th & 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 when water (at sea) hit it, it not only becam heavier, but the process of fermentation began again, of which a byproduct 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 with a lantern, BOOM! 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 Transport" on them. That meant for the sailors to stow it high enough 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) which has come down through the centuries and is un use to this very day. You probably did not know the true history of this word.

Neither did I...I always thought it was a GOLF term!  C):-)