“What Is This Thing?” — 25 Times People Asked The Internet To Identify Mysterious Objects This Week

1. “Handmade ceramic mug with saucer but mug has hole in bottom and saucer has a pour spout?”

“Found in thrift store, its about six inches tall and the mug has a hole into the saucer which also has a pour spout? Im confounded as to what it could be for!!”

Griffinburd:
It’s for frying bacon in the microwave, you drop them over the edge and it drains the grease. Here is a link: bacon cooker

ChefArtorias:
Wtf. That sounds like such a crazy answer, but the link checks out.

Griffinburd:
It actually works surprisingly well, although you shouldn’t use too fatty pieces because it can overflow the bottom and make a mess.

GoogleIsYourFrenemy:
Wouldn’t a Pyrex bowl and measuring cup work just as well?

Larry_Safari:
Solved!

2. “Plastic orange drippy topper to something found in cabin”

“My friend’s dog found this plastic orange drippy type topper on the floor of our cabin on our trip. Head of garlic for scale lol but about an inch and a half in diameter”

helloiamdog:
It’s caramel sauce topping for a play ice cream set.

big_never_mind:
We started clapping, thank you for your help! Solved!

3. “My SIL found this on a playground. it’s plastic, bottomless, hollow, and the tip is rubbery. there are no markings on the item.”

Mackin-N-Cheese:
No, it’s not a camera. The ones in this link aren’t the same color, but it looks very much like this stackable pencil from Legami, dome and all: https://jukupop.com/products/legami-stackable-pencil-with-eraser-take-a-tip

Another:
https://www.junioredition.com/products/monster-stackable-pencil-by-legami

3amGreenCoffee:
Yep, that’s exactly it, just missing the little animal eraser character.

krissycole87:
Surprised how far I had to scroll for this. This is exactly what it is!!

4. “Found this green plastic thingy stuck in the couch. The end has 3 dents and the top looks like a plastic flower bud?? It’s lightweight.”

“The end looks like a yarn can be wrapped around it to keep it in place?? But it was literally stuck in the couch under the couch (if that makes sense? -I’m not a native English speaker). It’s cca 15cm long. We just moved to this apartment and were cleaning under the couch and my bf pulled this out of it. Previous owners had a cat, so is this a part of something that their cat had?? Or is it a decoration?? Pls help”

JellyWabbit:
Looks very similar to the drumstick on this toy drum set .

Im_Ok_Im_Fine:
I mean… come on this has to be it.

Larry_Safari:
Solved!

5. “Knife shaped, white ish, hard, rigid and lightweight object found in second hand shop in North Europe.”

“My only idea is bone folder, but I do not understand the actual knife shape, as all of the online ones seems to have straight edges.”

amapanda:
Letter opener? Possibly with the tip broken off..

Malibai:
Yes, letter opener out of ivory. Longer than an usual knive, about the length of a standard letter, so it can be opened with a smooth motion outwards. The tip is rounded, since it should not cut/damage the content.

iamnotazombie44:
Seconding ivory, possibly polished whale bone, but I think I do see the herringbone pattern characteristic of natural ivory in picture 2, looking down the length of the opener.
This is a beautiful little piece of antiquity!

faust112358:
Ivory or bone

6. “Large Round Metal Cages on Old Feed Mill Windows.”

“These are on a few windows at an old feed mill in Pennsylvania, just curious what they could be for?”

axiommanipulator:
Only a portion of the window opens, and it tilts. Those are screens to keep out birds and debris when opened for ventilation.

azhillbilly:
And to clarify for the reason the screen is not flat, the window pops out, not slides up. So if the screen was flat, it would block the window.

SkwrlTail:
This. The middle section of the window pivots around the horizontal axis.

cubic_d:
That makes perfect sense! Solved!

7. “White 4 x 6 electrical box in closet, seems to be plastic”

“Located in bedroom closet, ‘UL’ written on it. What is this device?”

jackrats:
Not a rainstickologist. It’s a 66 punch down block, for connecting phone wires. It’s been painted over.

petros89:
Solved!

8. “What are these approximately 9″ x 18″ solid blocks of concrete chained together in pairs used for?”

Spalding_Smails:
In case it’s tough to discern in the pic, they aren’t standard builder’s concrete blocks with the cavities filled, they’re solid cast concrete and have one end of a short chain embedded in them with the other end embedded in one other block.

KindSplit8917:
These are for weighing/spacing rebar, pipe, conduit, and other materials during concrete pours on commercial construction projects. Usually any underground utilities will be tied down and spaced per plan. Concrete is heavy and flows when being placed, so these prevent stubouts for electrical and plumbing from moving. If they shift too far they won’t land in your walls/panels/sinks.

Spalding_Smails:
This seems very plausible. This pic was taken in an industrial park in Naples, Florida where there’s quite a bit of construction. Your comment is one of certainty. I’d like to mark this as solved, but before I do can you confirm you’ve actually seen these, or at least something very, very similar, like almost identical, used for the purpose you’ve described?

KindSplit8917:
I’m a Commercial Construction Superintendent specializing in Life Science and Hospitals in San Diego, CA. I see these on almost every concrete pour.

Spalding_Smails:
Thanks for getting back to me. Solved!

9. “Copper and lead(?) conical piece found inside grade A white oak board”

“Cone shaped copper and maybe lead or rock? It’s non magnetic. Was embedded in a board of grade A white oak.”

marfar32:
It’s a bullet, someone shot a tree. It’s not uncommon to find these in boards.

thetwotowerz:
Weird shape for a bullet, no?

wintersimms:
Could be a number of bullets! And this is just modern ones. Could be an older bullet.

thetwotowerz:
Well, I guess I was bullet ignorant! That has to be it now that I see this. Thanks! Solved!

10. “Wooden hanging object with a heart-shaped cutout, with three pairs of thin angled dowels three small metal screw hooks”

“Purchased from thrift store, but unsure if this object it has a specific intended purpose? The dowels are angled outward such that it hints that perhaps some specific item is supposed to be slotted behind, and something else held by the metal hooks? I hope this isn’t just an over-complicated coat/key rack! Any insight is appreciated, thank you!”

nitro479:
Cup and saucer display? Cups on the hooks, saucers behind the dowels.

Flwrpwr93:
Solved! OK I think this must be the answer! Thank you so much!!

11. “Round thing on glass window at work. ‘Top’ unscrews. Doesn’t feel electronic.”

“I work in an office and no one knows what this is on the glass next to the door. 1 person suggested that it might be a knock sensor.”

Jealmo:
It’s to hold a name plate outside the office, identifying who the office belongs to.

You unscrew it enough to fit the name plate in, then screw it down to hold the name plate.

We had them in the office I used to work in.

freementia:
Solved!

12. “Small rectangular painted wood panels at varying heights next to 3 doorways in my old house.”

chonkehmonkeh:
Not sure if you are in a area that was/is religious? But if so, it could be that there was a Maria plate with a small bowl to contain holy water.

rio94:
Ohh yes, I think you’re right! Solved! I’m new to the area but it does seem very religious, my neighbour has a big statue of Mary in the front yard, and the local cafe bans dogs completely and I don’t recall seeing bacon on the menu, so I think it’s Muslim. I saw a giant led cross a few streets over too.

I Googled what you’re describing as I’m not religious, but having seen them, I think you’re right. This would explain the size, why it’s a decorative shape rather than a regular patch, and also why it’s at various heights and not consistent with any wiring or connections.

I can imagine someone not having the eye for detail and just placing it at a convenient height, then moving out and removing the bowl part, and the landlord just slapping some paint over it to match the wall. Thank you so much for solving this mystery!

13. “Brutalist hexagonal tower outside Heathrow bus station”

“It’s next to a 4/5 storey carpark and at least as tall as that. Doesn’t look like there are windows at the top.”

Responsible_Shake899:
Concrete base for the old 23cm radar. Radar array has been removed.

I believe the base structure might have been listed (or something similarly stupid), which is why it remains.

Should be made into a viewing platform, but that wouldn’t be sufficiently revenue-generating for Heathrow Airport Limited, so it’ll sit there forever.

DualWheeled:
Solved! That was quick 🙂 Thank you, I see it every time I take a coach to London. It’s reminiscent of the shot tower in Bristol but definitely isn’t tall enough to be another of those.

14. “Hand sized metal object found magnet fishing in Irving, Texas.”

“I found this metal object while magnet fishing in Irving, Texas. It weighs about 2-4 lbs.Along with two revolvers, I pulled up this strange pistol shaped object with a threaded end. I let it sit for 4 days in vinegar to remove all the excess rust (pic 5 being the before).

The lettering says ‘Syr. Stam-‘ the rest is still covered in rust ‘c.o.’ ‘Syracuse N.Y.'”

kinkhorse:
Syraco Spigot/Stop Gate valve

CecilBlight:
Solved. Thank you.

15. “Piece of machinery, small black plastic (about 3″ x 0.3″) with metal studs found inside a 10-pack of Coke”

“Opened a 10-pack of 7.5oz Coke. Inside were 9 cans, one of which was shredded and completely empty except for a tiny amount of dried syrup. It’s not even sticky on the inside.

Also, this extra gadget.

The black part is a hard waxy plastic. The silver studs are non-magnetic but do appear to have some oxidation on them. They look like they’re meant to clip it to something.

The round silver bit with the blue thing around it is a bearing on a spring, probably meant to hold it in place.

The writing on the side appears to be U5005197M 57/204.

Google seems pretty convinced the silver bits are knobs and this is some kind of audio equipment. It… definitely is not.

The simple/straightforward answer here is that it’s part of a faulty machine used to pack Coke cans. But I’m curious if anyone can be more specific.

I’m also a little curious where the Coke from the destroyed can went, because it wasn’t inside the box. I guess the machinery somehow packed it after the disaster.”

littlecuddlepuppy:
I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS!

That is a format part from a Westrock packing machine!

Probably a format part for the incoming can conveyor system.

Specifically from the same type of machine that just took a picture of.

TastesLikeOwlbear:
Solved!

So a format part would be something that makes sure the cans coming down the belt are, like, lined up correctly for the next step? Or something that puts the box together?

Google results for “format part” seem to assume that if you’re asking about them, you already know what they are.

16. “Found in my yard using a magnet after a re-roofing project. But it’s not a normal nail. Anybody know what kind of nail this is proposed for?”

“At least some portion is magnetic (ferrous), not sure if the larger sleeve is ferrous or aluminum … Found not crazy far from a utility pole, behind my garage.

1-3/4″ long with a half inch diameter head.

It’s like a nail inside a trunkated nail….maybe it prevents the inner nail from going in too far…and you can wrap or hook a cord onto the part left sticking out? …for something…but what?

I tried Google lensing it, but the bend in the nail gave me some weird hits …like trailer hitches and such.

Do your stuff reddit!

Fun fact, I also found 187 roofing nails..and about 25ish screws, bolts and common nails…and 7 staples.”

Walter_Sobchak47:
It’s a lead anchor, or Zamac. Used often to attach things to concrete or masonry. https://lhdottie.com/zamac-anchors/za125

bykpoloplaya:
Solved!

tlrider1:
Randomly… my neighbor had a problem with flat tires. He kept finding screws and other type of items in his driveway, and thought someone in the neighborhood was not liking his Porsche exhaust etc…. Until… I forgot how he figured it out… whether a crow dropped it when he was in the driveway, or? (This was years ago.) But ya… his figured out it was crows! They were picking up shiny things and for whatever reason, dropping them off his gutter into his driveway like this, causing all his flat tires!.

bykpoloplaya:
I love this. So much more diabolical than just poopin’ on a shiny car.

17. “What’s this thing. Found in a parking lot. Triangular and a magnet sticks to it. 2.5” long”

“Has a small piece of chain attached also”

pwnar:
Locking pin for a jack stand?

noclownz:
Solved

18. “Hard rubber wedge found in driveway.”

“Found this in my driveway today. Not sure if it’s from one of my vehicles, a delivery vehicle, or the landscapers trailer.”

potatochip_pooper:
It goes on the bottom of a plastic car ramp.

yourbadinfluence:
Solved!

efingoffatwork:
I recognized it immediately. Cuz one falls out of the bottom of my car ramps every time I drag them out to the driveway.

19. “Metal device with a 6,35mm jack and a counter”

“This was handed to IT staff (me) in a library”

tangoterry:
It’s a three conductor passive a/c circuit (stereo 1/4 in. jack).

Probably has a coil, solenoid that when activated turns the number cog.

No visible reset so it’s probably an hour meter or was used to track total units.

TheMightyTobsi:
That is exactly the kind of precise answer I was looking for! Thank you! Solved!

tangoterry:
You’re welcome. 20 year military avionics tech. 10 years private electronics tech specifically hired to reverse engineering competitors designs.

20. “I picked this up at a conference from a vendor. It is about 9.5 inches long, 3 inches high, and a half an inch thick. More details in comments.”

Igotnothin24:
Snap on can coozy

Mysterious-Mistake79:
Solved! Thanks! I wasn’t sure if that’s what it was, but makes sense.

bald_and_nerdy:
Remember those slap bracelets in the 90s? Same thing. The material that makes it roll up is usually cut tape measures.

21. “What is this Tool? Old Hand Tool Among Axes and Shovels.”

“Handle is like an axe, and the inside curve is sharpened.”

Larry_Safari:
Kaiser blade.
Billhook on a longer stick basically.

SkwrlTail:
Also known as a brush axe.

tequilaneat4me:
At my former work, everyone called them brush hooks.

22. “Oval shaped, heavy plastic/metal thing with rubber feet.”

“We recently moved offices and found these after the move. Nobody recognizes them. They seem like they would be feet for something, but do not have any way to attach to something aside from just sitting in the hole. Approximately 5.5″L x 2.5″W x 0.5″H”

Deacon_Blues88:
Pluggable (that’s the brand) USB dock stand/base for the older models.

Edit/Source: I worked in IT and have distributed hundreds of these. Many users don’t use the base and lay the dock horizontally.

rayman21186:
Turns out we still have the docking stations as well, so now they’ve been reunited.

rayman21186:
SOLVED!

23. “Plier-like hand tool, possibly for bending”

“Tool found on workbench of my father-in-law. He was an electronics technician in aviation field.”

PrettyAlaMode:
It’s for making loops of metal, bail shaping pliers. I don’t know about how electricians would need that though.

PKDickman:
They’re called coiling pliers. Jewelers and other trades use them.

NNovis:
YUP for bending wires. Used for jewelry it looks like, but I imagine it’s hella useful for all sorts of wires.

jp_omega:
Solved!

24. “The item is about 30 lb stainless steel with sealing lid. Has mic3c-02-00 on a sticker on it”

RentAscout:
It’s part of a PAT Group Mic Dv granulator mixer.

chton:
OP, this is the correct answer. Maybe not that exact producer but it’s a very similar granulator mixer:

25. “Metal and plastic thing about 7” long..found outside near the electric boxes on the side of the house..”

jackrats:
Service drop line clamp. It holds a landline phone cable at the pole and at the side of a residence.

kurt667:
Ok, so did it fall off of the lines? Should I be concerned that it’s not attached to anything now?

jackrats:
That thing looks brand new. Ie unused.

kurt667:
So maybe the installer just left it accidentally?

myrichphitzwell:
Installer placed it on NID, then went up ladder to run line, cussed at himself for not grabbing one, came back down forgetting he placed it there, grabbed another…. Hopefully didn’t repeat.

jackrats:
Seems to be the case.

kurt667:
Ok thanks.. I’ll call this solved.