History of Compost

HISTORY OF MANURE



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 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 term used when accidently bumping an elbow on a hot bulb reaching for a timer.....

 

Very funny tidbit on the history of SHIT.

 

Exploding shit ships. So fu$%in cool.
Thanks I couldnt sleep and needed a true blooded laughing fit.
There it is there.
Exploding shit ships.
whoo doggy
tie

 

does it really become methane>?

 

it doesn't become methane it just produces methane. great story man!

 

Sorry to be the "Party-pooper" (pun intended); as amusing as this story is, it's just not true! This is what is called False Etymology - it is probably more widely believed than the true word origen. First of all; shipping manure is a relitively modern practice - it accumulates, by the ton, everywhere people congregate and raise livestock - why bother to ship it? Secondly; the word shit can be traced back well over a thousand years - From Anglo-Saxon to Old English, from Mid English to Modern English. The original form also found it's way into Germanic and Scandanavian languages with spelling variations.

 

I concur with T.H.Cammo

 

THCammo just "shit" on your story.

 

Good Post!!!

 

I heard that fuck came from Fertification Under the Consent of the King