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, not only did it become 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!
>
