you Missed the plot, why don't they say a lorry with cars/pipes/container/spuds has had an accident. why sheds

Answer 1

because it shed a load of sheds

Answer 2

There are two completely different meanings for the word "shed".
One is the noun you understand - shed - a simple building for storage.
The other is a verb - to shed - to cast off, to let fall, to impart or release.

When a lorry has "shed" its load, it has nothing to do with simple buildings used for storage, but rather to do with the load having been cast off, or let fall, from the lorry.


This double-meaning has the added complication of giving two meanings for the phrase "shed load". It can mean a lot (as in the amount required to load, or fill, a shed), or it can mean the cargo from a lorry that has fallen off (a load that has been shed).


There was a situation on the A3 a couple of years ago, where a lorry shed a load of garden sheds, just to confuse the issue.

Answer 3

Merely saying it has had an accident is not the complete picture of the event. If it is carrying a load and the load stays intact, i.e., does not spill, then the 'accident' description would be all right.
But in many cases, when a lorry 'sheds its load' (where the word 'shed' is taken to mean items dropping off, often randomly, like leaves in Autumn), then using the word 'sheds' is a more appropriate description. 'Spills its load' is better used for when a lorry overturns and the load comes off all in one go.
'Shedding its load' gives a good mental image of a vehicle going along with items of its load (e.g., potatoes) falling off randomly and trailing behind the vehicle.

Answer 4

because you can put cars/pipes/container and spuds inside a shed. you cant put a shed inside cars/pipes/container or spuds

Answer 5

If you mean a lorry shed its load then i suggest you darn well ask that.
To shed a load means to lose it.
Sheeeeesh!!!

Answer 6

To shed its load means to loose its load all over the road thus causing obstruction.

Answer 7

its a mystery 2 me

Answer 8

no idea