Technical Term Manure:

 In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be  transported by ship and it was also before the invention of  commercial  fertilizers, 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 Transport),  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 golf term.

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