Make sure you wear high boots!

[Studlover (imported)]

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 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," 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 always

thought it was a golf term.

[colin (imported)]

I love the idea of the story but, of course it is complete invention.

I am afraid that shit is a derivative of 'scitan': old english verb meaning 'to defecate'. In other words, you can probably blame the Saxons or the Angles for it or just maybe the Danes.

Sorry to have pooped on the party.

LOL

[A-1 (imported)]

Sounds like a boatload of "GUANO" to me.

A-1