yvoarioch

History Lesson on the word SHIT . . .

In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything was transported by ship. It was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large shipments of manure were common. In the dry form it weighed a lot less that 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, BOOM! Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just what was happening. After that, the bundles of manure were always 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.
You probably did not know this true history of the word. Neither did I. I always thought it was a golf term.

The From-Me-to-You songs for the moment:
"One Time, One Place" by Skinny Puppy
"Computer Blue" and "Erotic City" by Prince
"Until I Get You" by Hanoi Rocks (for one of my favorites)
and
"Beautiful" by Mandalay (for Anouck)

and 's
Love, Me...