S.H.I.T.

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 dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet but
once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, 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 "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 waterthat 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.