In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by
ship. It was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, 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, 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," 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 always thought it was a golf term.
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