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jwperk

05/05/04 7:02 PM

#38928 RE: excel #38926

Another for your folder of lesser known facts....Oh shit!

A historical fact you should know about shipping manure:

In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship. It was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large shipments of manure were common. It was shipped dry, because in that 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," 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.


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cintrix

05/05/04 7:31 PM

#38933 RE: excel #38926

I think Churak told me the other day to "go irs off" - was he cussing at me?
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ONEBGG

05/05/04 7:56 PM

#38934 RE: excel #38926

I thought shit was a an old shipping term for Ship High In Transit, thus S.H.I.T.

I believe this was because the manure being hauled by ship was getting wet when stored below and causing quite a stink.


Just My Two Cents,

Gary