I got this email, thought I'd share it.......
>
> Manure - an interesting fact
>
>
> 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 Transit) 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.
It may be true or not, but I can see it happening.........
Favoured: 0
back in the old days it wasn't unlawful.........
BB
