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.
I had always thought it was a golf term.Googsy
2008 HSE TDV8
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder...
26th Jan 2009 8:29 pm
741hcr
Member Since: 12 Apr 2007
Location: Usually in front of the PC
Posts: 175
Excellent. I have just passed that bit of history onto my 15 yrd old son he can test his history teacher out on it tomorrow. Also makes another good story for drunken dinner table conversations.
26th Jan 2009 8:51 pm
bluebarchetta
Member Since: 25 Oct 2005
Location: Aylesbury
Posts: 524
It may be untrue, but sounds good, SWMBO will believe it for years
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
26th Jan 2009 9:46 pm
charless
Member Since: 07 Mar 2007
Location: Paarl
Posts: 46
Mmmm. Removing a stripped lock nut is a manure job
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
.asp
