| Garibjanata |
Posted
on 29-Jan-04 09:41 AM
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 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 term "Ship High In Transit" on them which 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 in use to this very day.
You probably did not know the true history of this word.
Neither did I. I thought it was a Golf Term.
Received this history of shit piece in today's email.
Sender: anonymous.
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