S.H.I.T
Post 1 of 2
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 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.
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.
01 Aug 2008 22:37
Post 2 of 2
Sorry my friend, but this explanation for the origin of the famous "s" word is nothing but an "urban myth". Just have a look at any other language that is related to both German and English (being English the most recent language, and therefore not the originator of any word), and you'll see that they use almost the same word, with no apparent reason for that. And in no case can you make a connection between that stuff that sometimes hit the fan on high sea, and this word on the other hand. So it's clearly a fabrication!
02 Aug 2008 15:52
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