It’s pretty hard to know everything , no matter how hard you try. Even when you feel confident in your ability to name a bunch of random things, you may still find a mystery object that utterly stumps you.
When these people found these random things, they took to the internet to do some sleuthing. Or rather, they got other people online to do the sleuthing for them.
“Have often noticed this circular disc mounted on an arm that sticks out of the jet bridge and leans against the aircraft body. What is it?”
According to Reddit user jackrats, it’s the auto-leveler. It’s the thing that keeps the plane balanced while passengers walk on board. Something I’ve never thought about before, but cool, I guess.
“What is the purpose of this kitchen sink? And what is it called?”
Reddit user Malawi_no explained it pretty well: “They are called ‘utslagsvask,’ or pour-out-sink. The shape is to make it easy/ergonomic to fill/empty a bucket when you are washing floors, etc.” I bet it would be useful if you were running a hair salon out of your house, too.
“This is machined from one piece of steel. The cuts go all the way through so that it rings like a tuning fork. It is 6 inches tall and 6 inches in diameter.”
“This is a work holding collet, generally used in a lathe but can also be used on a milling machine with an appropriate collet holding system. This collet looks like it was machined from an emergency collet to hold a specific part,” said Reddit user profpentagram. Uh, mystery solved.
“Found this in a box of bananas at the store I work at, looks like a broken off piece of a machine or something.”
There were some guesses, but when Reddit user Kordiel said that it’s “[h]alf of a bolt-type container seal,” that was the one that stuck. I guess it got broken off while the bananas were in transport.
“What is this diminutive silver table service utensil?”
According to a shocking amount of Reddit users (because seriously, how do so many people know this?) it’s called a bonbon spoon. It’s for serving bonbons and nuts, and other small things like that.
“What are these things? They are small, cylindrical shaped, wrapped in a little paper coating and they’re made out of what seems cotton.”
According to many different reddit users, those things are all filters for cigarettes. How they ended up on OP’s car windshield is beyond me, though. I guess someone dropped them?
“Plastic container, comes into three parts, holes in the middle section. Some sort of carrier?”
According to the Reddit comment section, this thing is a microwave steamer? Apparently, microwaves used to be a lot bigger than they are today. Huh. You learn something new every day, I guess.
“What are these ropes at the bottom of some trees?”
Reddit user yycin2019 said, “They are called wattles. Usually used to prevent soil erosion. But in this case it looks like they have been repurposed for tree protection.” Yeah, that seems about right.
“Pair of black canvas straps each lined with eight black plastic hooks and topped with metal hanger.”
Apparently, OP got these as a gift from a friend, but felt awkward asking them what they were. Luckily, Reddit user TNT_CPA chimed in, identifying them as an “Over the closet door hat rack.” Awkwardness avoided!
“About the size and shape of a contractors pencil. Found in a lot that has beading and other jewelry making tools.”
Reddit user SlippingAbout identified this things as a “Bead knotting tool.” It makes sense, then, that it was found with a bunch of other beading and jewelry making tools.
“Found in two of the three bedrooms at our Airbnb; both ends plug into an outlet but nothing else. The silver tag says ‘extension cord’ and the circular end of the plug says ‘360° rotating plug.'”
Redditor Mackin-N-Cheese had this to say:
“Is there similar box behind a wall-mounted TV nearby? Building codes don’t allow extension cords to be run behind a wall, so kits like this are used along with in-wall rated electrical cables to hide the cords and meet code.”
And what do you know? They were right!
“Round detector looking thing with a green light, about 6in wide, black with a white base, ceiling mounted.”
“It’s an infrared receiver for IR microphones. Used for audio enhancement/accessibility,” said Reddit user HopeHostal. Don’t you love it when the right answer to a mystery item is that easy to find?
“Strange powders in old booze bottles found in an old garage/tool shed next to paints and tools. The coarsest powder sparkles like diamonds, while the finer powders are matte.”
Reddit user jackrats was pretty on the nose when they identified these powders as polishing powders for rocks and such. From all the rock polishing videos I’ve seen online (a surprising amount), I’d say that tracks.
“What is this build-up in window frame’s air latch?”
Reddit user SincerelySpicy had a really good comment that explained exactly what’s going on here:
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“The insulated glass unit has failed. Either the desiccant has dissolved then seeped through the holes and recrystallized outside of the spacer, or water with some other dissolved solids has done so.” Not good, it seems.
“Small rubber and metal object found in a ‘fancy’ bottle opener box.”
Although OP was a bit skeptical at first, after more and more commenters confirmed that it’s a stopper, they finally gave in and believed it. Sometimes you just needs a second opinion. Or, like, an eighth one.
“Please help me identify the function of these wires on the shelves of this armoire! They are on both sides of the upper shelf and the top side of the lower shelf and they are all the same size and shape.”
So apparently, these are supports for dividers, which happen to be missing from this cabinet. Reddit user GlowingEagle gave a pretty good explanation on how they work:
“The ends of the wire go into predrilled holes, and the edges of the divider panel (or shelf) are grooved. When the panel is put in place, the grooves slide over the wires.”
“Piece of wood that hangs from a hook? I am told it might be made of sassafras.”
There was a weird amount of debate on whether or not this thing is truly a shillelagh (an Irish club that was used centuries ago), but in the end, it looks like that’s exactly what it is.
“It’s made of soft, floppy rubber or silicone. It’s not quite 8″ across at its widest. It has a lip on the shiny side.”
A bunch of people gave their best guesses, but it looks like OP solved their own mystery:
“Years ago, the kids had a drum set for the game Rock Band. We got rid of it a couple of years ago, after they all moved on. This might have been a part of it. Maybe.” So, that’s probably right.
“What are these wires/cables I tripped over while raking? Just bought this house and not sure who to call to take care of them.”
OP took the advice of the internet and called a service provider to get more information about the wires. But as it turns out, they were for an invisible pet fence that someone must’ve used in the past.
Definitely better than just cutting them only to find out they were important.
“Any ideas on what this is or is it lost to time? Small brass or copper ‘bell’ or ball?”
According to Reddit user WannaBeKatrina, this is a piece of a crotal bell, which is essentially a super old bell that they used to use, like, several hundred years ago.
