Manure . . . An Interesting Fact

[Julieduke]

Manure ... An Intersecting fact

Manure: In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship and it was also before commerical fertilizer's inventions, so large shipments of manure were common.

It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weight 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, BOOOOOM!

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 hight 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.

The evoled the term S.H.I.T.(Ship High In Transit) which has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day.

You probaly did not know the true history of this word.

Neither did I.

I had always thought it was a golf term.

[HossC]

It's a great story, but sadly, as with so many other things on the internet, it's not true - sorry Julie.

Read the real origin here:

www.snopes.com (about 2/3 of the way down).

[waikiki23]

Loved the story! I'm in a random kind of mood....any one watch Mythbusters a while ago where they polished poop? It was true and hilarious!!!!

[Hobie Hartkins]

That's amazing! I learned something new while starting to buzz! :drunk: