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A Bit of Knowledge

LagoLago Member Posts: 464 ✭✭✭
edited August 2002 in General Discussion
Fabulous bit of historical knowledge

Ever wonder where the word "s**t" comes from. Well, here it is: Certain types of manure used to be transported (as everything was back then) by ship. In dry form it weighs a lot less, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began again. A by-product of this 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 discovered what was happening.

After that, the bundles of manure where always stamped with the term "S.H.I.T" on them which meant to the sailors to "Ship High In Transit." In other words, 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.

Bet you didn't know that one.

Here I always thought it was a golf term

Comments

  • turboturbo Member Posts: 820 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There you go, and all this time I thought It's etymology was from an ole english word "shE-&t" invented by people to describe big whoppers.

    I can't imagine sailors, sleeping below deck with a pile of manure close by in a s**t ship, but I can't discount your story, either.

    I say wear your boots at all times..


    "The great object is that every man.... everyone who is able may have a gun." Patrick Henry
  • turboturbo Member Posts: 820 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There you go, and all this time I thought It's etymology was from an ole english word "shE-&t" invented by people to describe big whoppers.

    I can't imagine sailors, sleeping below deck with a pile of manure close by in a s**t ship, but I can't discount your story, either.

    I say wear your boots at all times..


    "The great object is that every man.... everyone who is able may have a gun." Patrick Henry
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