In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything for export had to be transported by ship. It was also before the invention of commercial fertilizers, so large shipments of manure were quite 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 instruction ' Stow 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 ' , (Stow High In Transit) ,............. “So it’s really not a swear word” 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 golfing term!
This is on the internet so it must be true.
Origin of S.h.i.t...
- Ron Attwood
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Origin of S.h.i.t...
Eva Vlaardingerbroek, an inspiratiom.
Re: Origin of S.h.i.t...
Good information Ron.
I had learned this many years ago during my S.H.I.T classes at my first job. You know, Special High Intensity Training.
And I do agree it's a perfect golfing term that I have needed to use many times.
Ed
I had learned this many years ago during my S.H.I.T classes at my first job. You know, Special High Intensity Training.
And I do agree it's a perfect golfing term that I have needed to use many times.
Ed
Re: Origin of S.h.i.t...
Amazing how much of our colloquial has a maritime or Naval Orin, ain't it?
Re: Origin of S.h.i.t...
Amazing how much of our colloquial has a maritime or Naval Origin, ain't it?
- Ron Attwood
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- Ron Attwood
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- DHenriques_
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Re: Origin of S.h.i.t...
I am SO happy to be made aware of this. For YEARS I thought I was responsible for this word. It happened naturally every time my wife reminded me I had to do yard work and also every time I hit a golf ball.
I even remember it happening on a few landings I made during my active flying days.
DH
I even remember it happening on a few landings I made during my active flying days.
DH
Re: Origin of S.h.i.t...
My wife worked as a rural carrier at the Duvall Post Office for (too) many years. She told me that it means "Special High Intensity Training."
Re: Origin of S.h.i.t...
Thanks for the info, Ron. Good s.h.i.t.!
Re: Origin of S.h.i.t...
Last edited by wrkempson on 19 May 2022, 08:44, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Origin of S.h.i.t...
Enter the word to look it up. This legend of nautical origin has been around for a while and is simply untrue.
- ClipperLuna
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- Ron Attwood
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Re: Origin of S.h.i.t...
Thanks for putting us right. Clever clogs. When did you last have a laugh?
Eva Vlaardingerbroek, an inspiratiom.
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Re: Origin of S.h.i.t...
No, Ron. I think he's really trying to tell you that it's actually a golfing term.Ron Attwood wrote: ↑19 May 2022, 10:04Thanks for putting us right. Clever clogs. When did you last have a laugh?
Cheers,
Mike
- Ron Attwood
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Re: Origin of S.h.i.t...
Oooh. Sorry, my mistake.Dogsbody55 wrote: ↑19 May 2022, 20:45No, Ron. I think he's really trying to tell you that it's actually a golfing term.Ron Attwood wrote: ↑19 May 2022, 10:04Thanks for putting us right. Clever clogs. When did you last have a laugh?
Cheers,
Mike
Eva Vlaardingerbroek, an inspiratiom.
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