Gross Vocab Builder Moment; or,

The Saponification of Mrs. Ellenbogen



Some people become worm food when they die, some people fish food. Some people, or at least one lady in the 19th century from Philly- SOAP.

The phenomenon is called adipocere: it turns some corpses into a waxy, soap-like substance, depending on factors such as humidity, temperature, the presence of clothing and bacterial activity. The fatter the person, the greater the chance saponification will occur.



Here's another article, but with gruesome photographs for your Monday morning viewing pleasure.