Some of the things out there that people need help identifying are mostly normal-looking, like they're slightly different versions of things we already know and love (or hate?). Other things are just weird. That's it. They have no other explanation.
People took to Reddit to find out what these things are, and so many of them are just strange. It really makes you wonder how people are always finding this kind of stuff.
Reddit user guessimcanadiannow gave us a really random explanation for this chunky bit of tech: it just so happens to be some kind of wearable computer from the 90s. Like a strange, primitive smartphone or something like that. Technology sure is weird.
These strange things were put on some utility poles in the area. But why? Probably to protect them from something, I'd guess.
And that would be right. The theory on the web is that they're used to keep them standing after they start decaying and stuff like that.
It's a little hard to see what's going on in this picture, but you can sort of tell that it's some kind of strange item inside of a pipe.
As it turns out, it's a pipe reamer that the previous plumber probably lost in there.
For once, I actually know this one (and no, it has nothing to do with strange alien or cult-like practices).
It's a pickleball court. Never played the game, but I've seen people draw those squares on the ground to play.
Of all the strange things trucks transport across the highway, I've never seen anything like that before.
But a surprising amount of people on Reddit have. They're called pipe pigs, and they're used to inspect pipelines. Who would've thought.
Sometimes, the simplest explanation is the right one. I looked at these and thought they could be mail boxes, but then thought they were probably too small to be mail boxes.
Turns out, they're mail boxes. And super old ones, at that.
This thing looks like the more heavy duty cousin of a cocktail fork. But don't worry, it isn't that.
banjomama11, the person who originally asked about the object, decided it has to either be some kind of old ice pick, or some kind of old meat tenderizer.
Whatever this strange, mechanical object is, it probably doesn't work anymore.
Redditor Special-Attitude-242 described it as some kind of Catholic book of sermons, and that's probably the most we're going to be able to go off of. Either way, it's definitely something related to the Christian faith.
Is it a bottle that holds some kind of potion that lets you travel anywhere on the globe? Probably not. But it is a decanter of sorts, according to multiple Reddit users who know this kind of thing.
Thanks to MitsyEyedMourning on Reddit, this was one mystery that was able to be solved quickly. Rather than being some kind of lightbulb, it's a radio electron tube. For a radio. That's actually a pretty neat piece of old tech.
One of the perks of living in an older home is that you actually see some of these random things from time to time.
This is a plug for a central vacuum. You plug the vacuum into one of these wall sockets, and it sends all the dirt into a receptacle somewhere in your house.
Although this little pouch looks a bit strange, it has a pretty normal explanation. It's a travel jewelry pouch. That would explain why the inside is all soft and padded. Seems like it could come in handy on a vacation.
For starters, it's pretty weird that something in England has imperial measurements on it, since they do metric over there.
But multiple people knew exactly what this was, including Redditor inny_mac, who wrote, "it’s a fire hydrant marker. The hydrant will be in the ground and the numbers on marker indicate things like depth and diameter."
There were a few theories about this one online, including some people thinking it might be related to stopping illegal drug use. But the most likely reason this light is bright purple is that it just needs to be replaced.
Reddit user Aintaword gave a pretty good answer for this strange science experiment-looking thing: "Looks like a hydrogen generator contraption someone homemade to increase fuel economy. They don't work." That would explain why it's just a jar with connectors sticking out of it.
IRunSlowButFar on Reddit identified this strange contraption as a fire extinguisher monitoring solution. Not entirely sure what that means, but it seems like the kind of thing that you'd probably find in a commercial space, and not in a home.
If you have anything coming out of the holes in your walls or ceilings, you should probably be concerned. In this case, as Redditors were quick to point out, it's termite frass. Which means there are termites in the structure. Not good.
In all honesty, it looks like some kind of weird, long screw. But, as multiple people on Reddit were quick to point out, it's a tent stake. It probably got separated from the rest of its set.
This object is definitely cooler than it is weird, but the fact that it was found in a canal is kind of strange.
And as it turns out, it's something called a Manek Stambh, which is used in Hindu wedding ceremonies.
A few different people chimed in on this on Reddit. Each of those patches are cigarette cards, which used to be made of silk and came from cigarette cartons. Not the strangest thing to use as a decoration, that's for sure.
These super strange objects, as Reddit user Youneededthiscat describes, are probably debris from some kind of avalanche prevention mechanism, like a howitzer. How fascinating.
This is a mystery that this Reddit user hoped to finally solve after originally posting a picture of the item to the site 8 years ago! And they got pretty lucky, because a few Reddit users identified the object easily.
It's some kind of pain relief roller, made in Germany.
A few Redditors offered some suggestions, but nothing really stuck. That is, until Reddit user TheBuffChicken identified it as "an old tool for plugging tire punctures." And as it turns out, that's exactly what this thing ended up being.
There are people out there who just know what these kinds of things are without a second guess. Like codece on Reddit, who described this thing as a fireplace trivet: "You can put it in the fire and then put a kettle or pan on it."
Whether you're a plumber, or someone who does a lot of repairs or renovations, you might know what this bit is. It's the end part of a drain auger or sewer snake. Makes sense that it was found after a bathroom repair job.
Believe it or not, this incredibly tiny receptacle has been identified as an antique chamber pot! For kids, though. Like, toddlers being potty trained and such.
Definitely not a teacup, so whatever you do, don't drink out of it!
Here's another one that's actually really easy. Most of us have probably seen these, just not looking the way this one does now.
It's an off-brand Swiffer duster. You know, without the actual duster part on it.
Well, it's a filter, so whatever it is probably helps purify water. Redditor spyrenx says, "Looks like it's probably copper-zinc, used in filters to filter heavy metals." I think we have a winner on this mysterious substance. Turns out it's nothing to worry about (or try to sell).
I'm pretty convinced now that any strange-looking knife-like object is probably some kind of tool used to make decorations out of fruit. And this, of course, is one of them. Can't say I'm too surprised.
Apart from the fact that it's clearly meant to roll over something, this strange object is pretty mysterious.
That is, unless you're Reddit user likkachi, who knows exactly what this is for. It's called a brayer, and it's used for printmaking.
