# Please Date my Mother's Gefilte Fish **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 4, 2006, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312 "2006-04-04T20:36:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/1 "2006-04-04T20:36:17Z")
Well, it’s that time of year again, and Costco is selling its 4-lb. jars of Mother’s Gefilte Fish. There’s no expiration date on it, but on the lid is stamped: “46052 RMT07593/SP 1612 4090.” Is there some kind of expiration date embedded in this? Gefilte fish is definitely not the kind of product I want to take chances with, and obviously it has to be refrigerated after opening. But how long can I keep it non-refrigerated before opening? ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/2 "2006-04-04T20:54:57Z")
I’m not busy this Friday; Will it put out? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/3 "2006-04-04T20:58:03Z")
That’s one of the funniest titles I have ever seen… but back to your question. Since it can’t be 1612 I would guess it’s good until 4090… assuming you don’t open it of course. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/4 "2006-04-04T20:58:34Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I’m not busy this Friday; Will it put out? 😛 Yes, but you have to eat it first. ---
**Author:** ![Rodd\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ab097/32.png) [@Rodd\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodd_Hill)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/5 "2006-04-04T21:00:12Z")
“46052 RMT07593/SP 1612 4090.” Are you sure that’s not **Kabbala** Fish? ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/6 "2006-04-04T21:00:32Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > “46052 RMT07593/SP 1612 4090.” > > Is there some kind of expiration date embedded in this? That code is the can’s Star Date. Congrats; your mom’s fish is a time traveler from the 40th century. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/7 "2006-04-04T21:06:12Z")
Hey, it’s less than 2000 years old, going by the Hebrew calendar (and they didn’t have refrigeration back then). ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/8 "2006-04-04T21:25:02Z")
Gefilte fish has an expiration date? Looks like Mother’s Gefilte Fish is made by [Rokeach.](http://www.rokeach.com/rokeach_brands.asp) They’ve got a phone number at the bottom of the page. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/9 "2006-04-04T22:22:28Z")
[Homer] mmmm, out of code Gefilte Fish.[/Homer] ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/10 "2006-04-04T22:26:17Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I’m not busy this Friday; Will it put out? 😛 Normally, I don’t date outside my species. ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/11 "2006-04-04T22:26:55Z")
I wouldn’t date it even if it weren’t Jewish. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/12 "2006-04-05T00:14:37Z")
Well, OK, but any children must be raised Catholic. ---
**Author:** ![633squadron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/ee59a6/32.png) [@633squadron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/633squadron)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/13 "2006-04-05T01:08:22Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I’m not busy this Friday; Will it put out? 😛 😃 That’s what I was thinking. I know gefilte fish, and I _still_ thought he was talking about something his mom made. Which then got me worried; how long has he been holding onto it?! But my _real_ question is… Is she a MILF? ;j ---
**Author:** ![633squadron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/ee59a6/32.png) [@633squadron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/633squadron)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/14 "2006-04-05T01:11:15Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > Gefilte fish has an expiration date? Oh but of course! They hold onto it until the expiration date… _Then_ they sell it. Explains everything! ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/15 "2006-04-05T01:35:10Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I’m not busy this Friday; Will it put out? 😛 Even after sun-down, since it just lies there. ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/16 "2006-04-05T14:14:45Z")
Oh kosher grocer, please Sell me a batch, Find me a find, Catch me a catch Gefiltefish maker, please Look through your brook And give me a perfect match. Rokeach Associates Make me a batch Keep me from harm–tell me When did he hatch? The cannery label’s been torn off, you see I fear scombrotoxicity. Screw it I’ll make my own Passover dish Go to the river and Nab my own fish The peril of undated seafood’s well known So I’ll make a batch On my own. Fishmonger bring your net I’ll use my veil We’ll catch a walleye Scaly and pale I’ll bring him home for my parents to see But this big boy’s just for me! Matzoh meal, kosher salt Onion and eggs, Boil the fish bones and strain out the dregs Turn my attention to smashing my prey Now that he can’t get away. Molding my catch makes me Caper and holler, These balls are too big–Well I’ll just squeeze 'em smaller 'Til once a year–maybe– They’re something I’d swaller A perfect size just for me! Mama your advice is Very well took: “Don’t break his balls Until they’ve been cooked!” I’m a girl just like a Queen on her throne Now I’ve a poor fish Of my own! ---
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/17 "2006-04-05T14:39:27Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Yes, but you have to eat it first. Watch out for STDs. It has a really fishy-smelling “area”. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/18 "2006-04-05T14:48:59Z")
::stands and applauds **The King of Soup** :: Bravo! Extra props for fitting “scombrotoxicity” into a song like you weren’t even tryin’. ---
**Author:** ![Antonius\_Block](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@Antonius\_Block](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antonius_Block)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/19 "2006-04-05T23:23:06Z")
Bravo, **King of Soup**. That was sheer brilliance. It’s coming up to SDMB re-subscription time for many of us, and this thread – _especially_ **KoS** ’s song parody – is a great reminder of what makes this the best board around, and worth every cent. ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2006, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312/20 "2006-04-06T02:16:15Z")
Thank you to **WhyNot** I blush with your praise **Antonius Block** keeps my doldrums away, if Ever there were advice I would convey It’s "Listen to what I say… "Hear me, there’s double dactyls in Ev-ry couple of syllables Mem-ry makes your life liveable Only when you relax. “Double dactyls make your poetry thrive, Scombrotoxicity” works hard to thrive pneumoconiosis" cannot survive Unless Greek poets arrive. "There’s no great trick to creating bad verse "The King of Soup can always make it worse, "Just keep your syllables under thirteen “And your meter will… be… clean!!” Most people threaten to quit whenever I post. Thanks for the support. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-date-my-mothers-gefilte-fish/351312.md?page=2)