Shit/shite

An ancient word from at least c.900 meaning dung or excrement, common to all Teutonic languages. For centuries, it was a perfectly acceptable word but by the 16th century had become low and vulgar describing anything or anyone as obnoxious or worthless. By the 19th century, it had become an expletive expressing surprise or incredulity and in this sense is now almost part of Standard English. Shite is the common variant, especially in Ireland.