OT: the real meaning of SH*T

["happy_hammer66" <bill.mcmahon@xxxxxxx>]

FYI,


In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything was transported by ship. 
It was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large 
shipments of manure were common. 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 "S.H.I.T" on them which meant to the
sailors to "Ship High In Transit." 

In other words, 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. 

You probably did not know this true history of the word. Neither did 
I. I always thought it was a golf term. 

bill




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