Does this look like a shorted wire?

[Irving]

Saw this in my attic today and I recently had a breaker trip. Does this look shorted, or just like something rubbed off from a piece of wood or something else in the attic?

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9So7OkUj6FE3QXAiIgKwKYByyDOEEg3Y95a5ltRBJkAg=w1698-h955-no

[SideShow Bob]

Wood sap or resin, or the electrician that installed it used it for butt floss.........

[SideShow Bob]

If it were shorted, it would be misshapen, bulged or otherwise distorted and heat disscolored. That is definitely surface crap.

Get it ? Butt floss, surface crap ?

[Irving]

LOL, thank you. Made me pretty nervous when I saw it. Could definitely rub it off, but I wasn't trying too hard in case the sheath was really burnt through. This is a terrible picture, but there appeared to be some "depth" when viewed in person. Thanks again.

[Ah Pook]

...or the electrician that installed it used it for butt floss.........
Ewww.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=imgres&cd=&ved=0CAYQjBwwAGoVChMI_YGFq_SaxwIVxxqSCh1M-Qoq&url=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FRKZJixX.gif&ei=37TGVb2WBse1yATM8qvQAg&psig=AFQjCNGg4j7GQ1FN7wFLjeoSuEMjAoApfQ&ust=1439172191176815

[02ducky]

LOL, thank you. Made me pretty nervous when I saw it. Could definitely rub it off, but I wasn't trying too hard in case the sheath was really burnt through. This is a terrible picture, but there appeared to be some "depth" when viewed in person. Thanks again.

Rub it and sniff your fingers, give us a full report afterwards.

[ray1970]

Looks like poop to me. Smell it.

[brutal]

https://youtu.be/1YDurhx8QyA