Origin of S.h.i.t...

[Ron Attwood]

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.

[Raceguy]

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

[GaryRR]

Amazing how much of our colloquial has a maritime or Naval Orin, ain't it?

[GaryRR]

Amazing how much of our colloquial has a maritime or Naval Origin, ain't it?

[Ron Attwood]

Amazing how much of our colloquial has a maritime or Naval Origin, ain't it?

I'll second that.

[Ron Attwood]

Amazing how much of our colloquial has a maritime or Naval Origin, ain't it?

I'll second that.

[DHenriques_]

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

[Paughco]

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."

[Bones]

Thanks for the info, Ron. Good s.h.i.t.!

[wrkempson]

https://www.etymonline.com

Sorry.

[wrkempson]

Enter the word to look it up. This legend of nautical origin has been around for a while and is simply untrue.

[ClipperLuna]

Enter the word to look it up. This legend of nautical origin has been around for a while and is simply untrue.

A great man once said "The problem with quotes found on the internet is that you never know if they are genuine."
--Abraham Lincoln

[Ron Attwood]

Enter the word to look it up. This legend of nautical origin has been around for a while and is simply untrue.

Thanks for putting us right. Clever clogs. When did you last have a laugh?

[Dogsbody55]

Enter the word to look it up. This legend of nautical origin has been around for a while and is simply untrue.

Thanks for putting us right. Clever clogs. When did you last have a laugh?

No, Ron. I think he's really trying to tell you that it's actually a golfing term.


Cheers,
Mike

[Ron Attwood]

Enter the word to look it up. This legend of nautical origin has been around for a while and is simply untrue.

Thanks for putting us right. Clever clogs. When did you last have a laugh?

No, Ron. I think he's really trying to tell you that it's actually a golfing term.


Cheers,
Mike

Oooh. Sorry, my mistake.