It’s perfectly okay to ask for help when you’re looking for answers . After all, no one know everything. But someone will know about that random thing you can’t identify.
And that’s exactly what happened to the people in this list. They took to Reddit’s whatisthisthing sub with questions about their strange and mysterious finds, and came out with a lot of answers.
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“What is this pen shaped object? Same size and weight as pen, made from plastic, only movable thing is this latch with very thin flexible plastic wire.”
Not quite a pen, that’s for sure. The commenters were quick to identify this thing as a device for screening diabetic neuropathy.
“Found in alley. Says A0419103. Pointy end flairs out when red handle opened.”
User DoctorOfMeat quickly identified this thing as a barrel lock plunger key, which is apparently used to open locks. What it’s doing in an alley is a bit of a mystery.
“Found in my grandpa’s watch collection. We thought it might have been a pocket watch, but it doesn’t open.”
Definitely not a pocket watch. According to multiple commenters, it’s a cigarette lighter that happens to be missing some parts. Go figure.
“A hot glue stick and some kind of plastic nail-like thing? What is this?”
Some commenters thought they could be used to fix car dents, but it’s more likely they’re plastic earring bits for people with metal sensitivities.
“Small metal cylindrical item I found in my new truck’s glovebox.”
The commenters were pretty convinced that this thing is a key for locking down your spare tire, so no one can steal it. Sounds like it’d probably come in handy.
“What is this hole in the pocket of my sweatpants for?”
A bunch of commenters said that this hole is for “breathability” in the fabric. In other words, it keeps moisture levels down so the bottom of the pocket doesn’t get stinky.
“Blue rubber top and clear plastic base. What is this?”
It makes more sense when the container is open. But it’s a plastic mold for making ice spheres (instead of ice cubes). Perfect for when you want your drinks to look extra fancy.
“Synthetic fabric like a thin coaster but slit in a cross in upper layer, Witt?”
The commenters were very quick to figure this one out. It’s a coaster that slips onto the bottom of a wine glass. How are these not a thing everywhere?
“Small 2 inch approximately Terracotta looking pot with something burnt in it. Found at work. Curious what it is and why it’s here.”
User Redherringover9000 said, “This is a Diya. Yesterday was Diwali, Hindu festival of lights ( equivalent to Christmas for Christians). They light this Diya with this wick ( of cotton) dipped in mustard oil/ghee and it lights very beautifully.”
I guess it is that time of year.
“Plastic circles and knobs, came with used Farberware stand mixer.”
According to the comments, they’re spacers for a rolling pin. I’ve never seen them before, but they sure do sound incredibly useful for any bakers out there!
“What is this small, double sided, two tier, open metal rack?”
Apparently, this thing is a holder for the different packages of wax paper and aluminum foil that most of us just jam into a cupboard in our kitchen. Who knew?
“Porcelain and metal from a factory floor. Found in a photo from the Lonaconing MD Silk factory with no identifying info.”
It looks like it has some kind of plumbing. Which makes sense, since the commenters figured out it’s an old-fashioned water fountain.
“What is this beeping device inside my van’s glove compartment?”
A lot of times, people will show these kinds of pictures and ask if there’s a tracking device in their cars. In this case it is a tracking device, but according to the commenters it’s from the manufacturer for tracking fleets and can just be removed now.
“Large round air filter? seems to have bits of charcoal inside it, found in our car park. No serial or model number. Looks unused.”
According to the commenters, this kind of air filter is used to remove smells. They’re often used for illegal drug growing (don’t grow drugs illegally, kids).
“Small elephant filled with water left at flat after party. Debating with flatmates over what it’s purpose could be.”
The commenters quickly identified this thing as a reusable ice cube (ice elephant?) that’s since melted. Who even knew these kinds of things existed?
“Paper-wrapped substance inside plastic box inside 60s Czech military bag.”
Reddit user michal_hanu_la said, “This looks like the soap that was used to prevent a gas mask from fogging up.” They ended up being right. What a random thing to find.
“Built-in narrow pull out surface akin to built-in cutting boards.”
The commenters figured out that this thing is for attaching different kitchen tools, like meat grinders, can openers, and pasta makers. I wonder why you don’t really find them in a lot of kitchens.
“Went away for 6 days and came home to these little brown balls spread out on the bathroom floor. They are hard but breakable, 1-3mm.”
A lot of commenters figured it was rodent poop, but luckily, it’s just a bunch of desiccant balls (those things in those packets that come in bag pockets and stuff).
“This device is fenced off in the middle of my public park. Two locked metal boxes, a frame, a propane tank, a little gauge at the top and a drain pipe.”
According to several commenters, it’s just a monitor for air quality.
“What is this dried black/grey ooze showing up in a neighbors field? Amount seems to be increasing the past few days.”
Many users confirmed that this is dried remnants of waste that had been dumped in the area, most likely illegally. Not cool.
