# Which would decompose faster: a Slim Jim or a corpse? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 19, 2007, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755 "2007-09-19T15:48:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/21 "2007-09-19T21:56:57Z")
Rather than being buried _with_ Slim Jims, I want to be enbalmed _like_ a Slim Jim: treated with salt, sodium nitrate and a blend of spices (somehow turning me dark red), then encased in a hermetically sealed single serving container. Anyone who chose to do so would be welcome to snap into me. ---
**Author:** ![Birdmonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71e660/32.png) [@Birdmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Birdmonster)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/22 "2007-09-19T21:57:35Z")
[QUOTE=OneCentStamp] Yeah, I just went to the Peperami page at Unilever’s website. That looks very much like the same thing. [/QUOTE] I concur. I found this pretty amusing, from their website: > [@](#): > > As one of the largest food businesses, we create and market food enjoyed by millions of people around the world every day. > > That means we can make a big impact on people’s health - a responsibility that we take very seriously. Slim Jim = seriously healthy. Understood. Next stop: Baconator. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/23 "2007-09-19T22:10:48Z")
[QUOTE=Cartooniverse] And, to answer the O.P. I’d think we’d need to have two experts that I have not seen here as Dopers: A mortician and a meat packer. Cartooniverse [/QUOTE] Until a mortician checks in… Does anybody here recall a news story almost 20 years ago. I don’t read the morticians trade magazine, but when this particular story came out it made the AP and a number of Disc Jockey show prep services. Anyhoo… a morticians trade magazine compared practices of over 100 years before with today (which would have been around 1988). One of the little surprises was how fast the 19th century undertaker had to “undertake” his job compared to the late 20th century mortician. In first world countries the average body has been exposed to enough food preservatives to keep approx. an extra 24 hours compared to the 19th century human. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/24 "2007-09-19T22:58:45Z")
[QUOTE=Doug Bowe] In first world countries the average body has been exposed to enough food preservatives to keep approx. an extra 24 hours compared to the 19th century human. [/QUOTE] Snopes has nothing, but I’m sure I’ve seen that debunked as a myth somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Birdmonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71e660/32.png) [@Birdmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Birdmonster)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/25 "2007-09-19T23:02:54Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] Snopes has nothing, but I’m sure I’ve seen that debunked as a myth somewhere. [/QUOTE] Snopes _does_ have a message board where the posters seem logical and decently well-reasoned. Discussion [here](http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=4503), which is mostly full of debunking. It’s no SDMB, of course. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/26 "2007-09-19T23:06:54Z")
Interesting thought for a thread… One might say: food for thought. I’m going to be contrarian and a say the Slim Jim will go first. Slim Jims are food, and something is going to eat it. Your flesh and organs might go pretty fast, but your bones could last quite a long time. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/27 "2007-09-19T23:39:44Z")
Of course, we are all assuming a corpse with no breast implants, ceramic hips, knee replacements, silicone veins, metal cranial plates, false teeth, etc, etc, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/28 "2007-09-19T23:42:19Z")
[QUOTE=Sapo] Of course, we are all assuming a corpse with no breast implants, ceramic hips, knee replacements, silicone veins, metal cranial plates, false teeth, etc, etc, etc. [/QUOTE] False teeth decompose at a different rate? How fast do real teeth decompose? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Birdmonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71e660/32.png) [@Birdmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Birdmonster)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/29 "2007-09-19T23:43:05Z")
[QUOTE=Sapo] Of course, we are all assuming a corpse with no breast implants, ceramic hips, knee replacements, silicone veins, metal cranial plates, false teeth, etc, etc, etc. [/QUOTE] I’m also assuming none of these were pressed into a Slim Jim either, which is just barely less plausible. But yes. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/30 "2007-09-19T23:44:36Z")
[QUOTE=Contrapuntal] False teeth decompose at a different rate? How fast do real teeth decompose? 😉 [/QUOTE] er, good point. I think I will put my money on the false ones, anyways. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/31 "2007-09-19T23:57:27Z")
[QUOTE=Contrapuntal] False teeth decompose at a different rate? How fast do real teeth decompose? 😉 [/QUOTE] Slower than any other part of the body. It’s not fer nuthin’ that we often find only teeth of our ancient hominid ancestors. As for dentures… well, if they’re made out of wood like George Washington’s allegedly were, they’ll be gone in a flash. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2007, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/32 "2007-09-20T00:02:43Z")
[QUOTE=OneCentStamp] treated with salt, sodium nitrate and a blend of spices [/QUOTE] Add sugar, and you have [gravlax](http://homecooking.about.com/library/archive/blsea98.htm), which is amusingly close to “grave.” ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2007, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/33 "2007-09-20T00:09:37Z")
…is probably enough to preserve them. Come to think about it, my wife makes great salt cod dishes (fritters, bolinos de bacalhao, etc.). I’ve noticed that salted cod is pretty near indestructible-I’d be willing to bet that preserving a human body with salt (like codfish) would make a near-perfect mummy. The main thing is removing the water …“water is a sore destroyer of your dead body” (from “HAMLET”-the gravedigger’s speech). ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2007, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/34 "2007-09-20T03:51:58Z")
[QUOTE=plnnr] No fucking way. I won’t drink milk if it is day past expiration. Of course, Slim Jim’s have no expiration date, but I still wasn’t sticking that thing in my mouth. [/QUOTE] Sure they do, look close on the wrapper. It says “You should live so long.” ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2007, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/35 "2007-09-20T12:51:32Z")
[QUOTE=Sapo] Of course, we are all assuming a corpse with no breast implants, ceramic hips, knee replacements, silicone veins, metal cranial plates, false teeth, etc, etc, etc. [/QUOTE] Or Robocop. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2007, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/36 "2007-09-20T14:31:21Z")
I’m also dubious about the preservatives/delayed decomp phenomenon. Perhaps it’s more related to factors like air conditioning and dehumidification, improved hygiene, and modern antibiotics (a great many people die while taking antibiotics, not just for disease but post-trauma and post-op patients). [QUOTE=OneCentStamp] Rather than being buried with Slim Jims, I want to be enbalmed like a Slim Jim: treated with salt, sodium nitrate and a blend of spices (somehow turning me dark red), then encased in a hermetically sealed single serving container. Anyone who chose to do so would be welcome to snap into me. [/QUOTE] This is the second time I’ve opened up this thread and read that, and it cracked me up just as much the second time. Maybe because Slim Jim-embalmment jokes don’t degrade any faster than Slim Jims do? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2007, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/37 "2007-09-20T17:25:28Z")
I’m cracking up over it too. And I’m trying not to audibly exclaim in a Rowdy Roddy Piper voice “SNAP INTO IT!” Because I’m reading this at work, and I don’t even want to try and explain this whole thing. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2007, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/38 "2007-09-20T17:35:30Z")
Err, I have just been informed that it was an entirely different wrestler. WELL THANK GOD I DIDN’T EXCLAIM OUT LOUD THEN. ---
**Author:** ![Birdmonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71e660/32.png) [@Birdmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Birdmonster)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2007, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/39 "2007-09-20T18:26:25Z")
[QUOTE=scout1222] Err, I have just been informed that it was an entirely different wrestler. WELL THANK GOD I DIDN’T EXCLAIM OUT LOUD THEN. [/QUOTE] I was going to save you the embarrassment, but it seems some good Samaritan already did. It was the Macho Man Randy Savage, by the way, who is certainly no less ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2007, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755/40 "2007-09-20T19:11:12Z")
[QUOTE=scout1222] I’m cracking up over it too. And I’m trying not to audibly exclaim in a Rowdy Roddy Piper voice “SNAP INTO IT!” Because I’m reading this at work, and I don’t even want to try and explain this whole thing. [/QUOTE] A complete and utter hijack, but I’m pressing ahead full speed ahead: My freshman year in college I had a poli sci proffers who looked very much like Roddy Piper; however, he was flamingly homosexual. My classmates refered to him as Rowdy Roddy Piper’s Sissy Brother. Continue. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-would-decompose-faster-a-slim-jim-or-a-corpse/419755.md?page=3)