Little known fact about manure.

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

Manure...An interesting fact

Manure: In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship and 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, 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 acronym for: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.

Love, Ima

[hc5duke]

wiki (http://tinyurl.com/27we4b) says that's false etymology, and m-w.com has Old English as its origin. Sorry to be a party pooper (bad pun fully intended)

[Tom B.]

Debunked. (http://www.snopes.com/language/acronyms/^$%^$%^$%^$%.asp)

[hc5duke]

Debunked. (http://www.snopes.com/language/acronyms/^$%^$%^$%^$%.asp)

correct url: http://tinyurl.com/2ujtd

the board censor erases words within links too. Which makes me wonder if this link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scunthorpe) would work (apprently it does :-D)

[rthomas]

Here's what happens when you go in space.

http://www.astrophotogallery.org/displayimage-random-10003--525.html

[wilson]

Here's what happens when you go in space.

http://www.astrophotogallery.org/displayimage-random-10003--525.html

Going in the ocean is pretty fun too...or so I've heard.

[billybreen]

Going in the ocean is pretty fun too...or so I've heard.

Ahh, "floating the brown trout," in the parlance of certain surfers and beachgoers from my home town (Isle of Palms, SC).

[wilson]

Ahh, "floating the brown trout," in the parlance of certain surfers and beachgoers from my home town (Isle of Palms, SC).

That's your hometown? And you left because...?

[billybreen]

That's your hometown? And you left because...?

College, then work. Also, I hate heat and roaches, and the ol' isle had too much of both.

It's all about what you don't know. I grew up on the beach, so it doesn't hold many charms for me (the brown trout didn't help, though those are fortunately rare). Mountains and snow are fully rad.

Fun random fact: with your next post, you will be at 886, the phone prefix for Isle of Palms.

[TNTDevil]

College, then work. Also, I hate heat and roaches, and the ol' isle had too much of both...(whispering) I thought you South Carolinians called 'em "Palmetto bugs".

No?

[captmojo]

Neither did I. I had always thought it was a Golf Term.

Love, Ima

I always thought it was another title for the game to replace the word "golf".:D

Seems like every time I hit the ball, that's the first word out of my mouth.

[rthomas]

I always thought it was another title for the game to replace the word "golf".:D

Seems like every time I hit the ball, that's the first word out of my mouth.

For me, it's the f-word. It's golf, I love that game.

[billybreen]

(whispering) I thought you South Carolinians called 'em "Palmetto bugs".

No?

You know, I recognize that term, but I've never heard someone use it in context. Might be more of a country term.

[gus]

As a general rule, acronymic origins of words, particularly pre-20th century words, are false.

[Fish80]

Manure...An interesting fact

Manure: In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship and 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, 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 acronym for: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.

Love, Ima


That's a load of crap. :D

[billybreen]

That's a load of crap. :D

You know, I hadn't read the OP until now. It is bullhonky (http://www.snopes.com/language/acronyms/^$%^$%^$%^$%.asp), of course.

[Windsor]

(whispering) I thought you South Carolinians called 'em "Palmetto bugs".



If you have company over they are 'Palmetto bugs' if you don't, they are roaches....at least that's the rule in Florida