In our everyday lives, we encounter unfamiliar little objects whose purpose remains a mystery, hidden behind a veil of uncertainty. However, we can count ourselves lucky because there are all-knowing internet users who are ever-ready to offer the correct answers.
"Solid metal removable spike in a New York hotel bathroom.’
Answer: “A bud vase. Makes sense to have it removable so you can dump it out and refill with water.”
“My son found this and we have no clue what it is. My wife says she doesn’t know what it is either.”
Answer: “It looks like it might go on top of a hanger (which is why there’s a hole in the middle). This would turn something like a smooth wooden hanger into one of those hangers with a satin finish/top to prevent light items like slips or lingerie from slipping off the hanger. The ties would be to secure it to the hanger, perhaps. Just a guess though!”
“Belt contraption attached to the rear wheel of a Chevy Bolt”
Answer: “It looks like some homegrown charging system.”
“20 years of research and Reddit is my last hope!”
Answer: “Inside the mouth of a Freshwater Drum.”
“I got a bag containing 6 of these from China. I have no idea why! What are they?”
Answer: Rose of Jericho (Resurrection Plant, Dinosaur Plant, Jericho Rose)
“What is this big hole that is usually found on milk cartons?”
Answer: “This is actually a measure to keep the milk contained if it’s suddenly dropped, or frozen. Makes the cap pop out if so.”
“The hole gets smaller when I squeeze it. Found in the kitchen at my parents’ house. What do I use it for?”
Answer: “It’s to strip corn on the cob.”
“My husband and I heard a big crash at 5 a.m., like something had fallen off the roof. He found this feathery mass on the ground just now.”
Answer: “Ok, showed this to my wife (ornithologist and zookeeper of 15+ years). The inside very likely has fly eggs on it and the feathers are likely from a duck (down in the cut away section gives it away). But she has never seen a feathered mass grown off of a bird like this. So possible tumor that got pinched off the main body?”
“Found this on the beach. It’s less than a foot long and seems to be a string with a bunch of little discs strung on it?”
Answer: “Those are whelk egg cases!”
“Black liquid that appears to have dripped from the ceiling, right underneath a light.”
Answer: “Bad ballast, they are potted with that goo.”
“I found it in a forest in Sweden, about 1 m from the ground, roughly 20 cm in size. Hard to the touch, but drips liquid when knocked.”
Answer: “Looks like a polypore fungus that is exuding excess moisture, called guttation.”
“Husband’s truck exploded, this came out.”
Answer: “It’s the inside bits, the catalyst, of a catalytic converter.”
“These lead blocks were found in a UK river. 125 g each. Can anyone positively identify them?”
Answer: “They are reminiscent of the Kuberakolam.”
“What is this bubbling out of the ground in my yard? Purplish metallic gooey inside.”
Answer: “Carpenter here, that looks all the world to me like expanding foam. The manufacturers like to color them for brand recognition or purpose identification. All the signs are there. The even coloration, the outer skin that formed, and the familiar random expansion pattern.”
“What are these on my fatigue pants? ”
Answer: “They are to pass a strap through and around the cargo pocket to secure a loaded pocket from sagging or flapping, particularly for paratroopers.”
We love examining such photos and trying to guess what they are meant for. If you also enjoy such enigmas,you can find more mysterious items here.