ADVERTISEMENT

All things have a purpose and function. However, some objects are so peculiar, so strange, and so weird that it takes amateur detectives and internet occultists to decipher their meaning. The ‘What Is This Thing’ subreddit is a treasure trove of everyday artifacts whose purpose was lost to the world… until Reddit’s resident Sherlock Holmeses took a look at them and explained exactly what people were looking at.

We’ve collected some of the best examples of odd things, so scroll down, have a look, have a read, and upvote your faves. Let us know in the comments if you learned something new and share the most obscure objects with your pals to test their knowledge.

Be sure to read on for Bored Panda’s interview with one of the subreddit’s moderators. And when you’re done with this list and if you’re still hungry for weird things whose purpose is unclear, then be sure to have a look through our previous posts about strange objects right here, here, as well as here.

More info: Reddit

#1

What Is This Thing In My Classroom? Makes Subtle Fan-Like Sounds And Changes Colour On Top

What Is This Thing In My Classroom? Makes Subtle Fan-Like Sounds And Changes Colour On Top

Answer: AV1 is a personal avatar for children suffering from long-term illness, helping them to continue their education and maintain the normality of daily life despite no longer being able to access mainstream education. Through an app, the user can remotely log into the class from their home or hospital. Looking through the robots eyes, the child can watch the lesson, through the robot’s ears they can hear greetings from their friends and they can speak through the robot to interact with the rest of the class.

Potetbror Report

#2

What Are These For In An Outdoor Area Of A Hospital?

What Are These For In An Outdoor Area Of A Hospital?

Answer: These are emergency showers. An affected person (chemical spills, laboratory mishaps, etc) will pull the level on the top and tepid water (OSHA defined between 60F and 100F) will douse the affected from the shower head (above) and boot sprayer (below). The duration of these showers is required to be 15 full minutes at approximately 20 PSI.
Source: I design these systems.

chashaoballs Report

Add photo comments
POST
laurenwatts avatar
LoPandas
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So they are like the showers you find in chemistry classrooms

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

IKEA Coffee Mug, What Is The Thing At The Bottom?

IKEA Coffee Mug, What Is The Thing At The Bottom?

Answer: So water doesn't stay on the bottom if you put the mug in the dishwasher and stops wet mugs suctioning themselves to coasters.
Pretty clever design actually.

HR_92 Report

ADVERTISEMENT

According to one of the subreddit’s moderators, there are several reasons why people become amateur detectives online and help others figure out what obscure objects are. The first reason is that interesting items show up and some folks can’t help but get involved. There’s also the “thrill of the chase”—people want to show off their great search skills.

“Many [people] have unique and obscure knowledge and they like to use it. Get enough of them together and they cover most things,” the moderator told Bored Panda.

The mod revealed that it’s very rare for a thing to get posted and for nobody to know what it is. They estimate that under 10 percent of ‘cases’ don’t get solved on the subreddit. “A majority of things are solved within 15 minutes of posting,” the mod added. With over 1.5 million members in the community, it's no wonder that mysteries get solved so quickly.

#4

My Mom And Dad Were Doing Some Landscaping In The Backyard And Found This Weird Slate With Writing Etched Into It. The Months Are Spelled Out And The Year States 1827 But That’s All The Information Here. I Can Send More Pics In Pm. Also, This Was Located In Southern Missouri

My Mom And Dad Were Doing Some Landscaping In The Backyard And Found This Weird Slate With Writing Etched Into It. The Months Are Spelled Out And The Year States 1827 But That’s All The Information Here. I Can Send More Pics In Pm. Also, This Was Located In Southern Missouri

Answer: a practice gravestone scrap. Someone who carved gravestones would practice engraving lettering and drawings on this broken piece of stone.

AppleTangoMike Report

#5

Thin Slabs Of Ivory With Days Of The Week On The Top Found In My Closet. What Is This Thing?

Thin Slabs Of Ivory With Days Of The Week On The Top Found In My Closet. What Is This Thing?

Answer: Fabulous antique early Victorian chatelaine aide memoir from mid 1800s. Made of sheets of bone, it would have hung on a lady's chatalaine chain or been kept securely in her pocket and she would have used it to make note and appointments for the week to come. It has 6 pages for the days Monday to Saturday, of course a lady would never have made appointments on a Sunday

mickbruh Report

Add photo comments
POST
bonnieosborne avatar
Bonnie Osborne
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can sell your Ivory if you can prove that it was purchased before 1990. This clearly is from the Victorian era..so yeah, that is legal to sell. What a cool discovery. I want to know how she made notes on them..

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#6

Water Flows From A Culvert Beneath A Trail Into This Circular Pool, Then Continues On Into The Woods. What's The Pool's Purpose?

Water Flows From A Culvert Beneath A Trail Into This Circular Pool, Then Continues On Into The Woods. What's The Pool's Purpose?

Answer: Settling pond for erosion control and improving the downstream water for happier fish

yourlocalpizzajoint Report

Add photo comments
POST
varwenea avatar
varwenea
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Smart. Always good to have happy fish. Wouldn't have to summon aquaman to deal with angry fish.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

The subreddit has a more serious offshoot on Reddit called Trace an Object that searches for objects posted by Europol that are linked to child abuse cases.

“We've had some luck in identifying some things, but there's more yet unsolved and more to come as Europol does release some new information every few months,” the moderator explained. The Trace an Object subreddit currently has more than 52.6k members who are putting their sleuthing skills to good use.

#7

Grainy-Like Things? They Appear Inside And On My Closet, And Reappear Whenever I Clean Them. What Are These?

Grainy-Like Things? They Appear Inside And On My Closet, And Reappear Whenever I Clean Them. What Are These?

Answer: Termite poop.

wowiie Report

#8

Washed Up On A Beach In Florida. What Is This Thing?

Washed Up On A Beach In Florida. What Is This Thing?

Answer: "It is a wave-powered desalinator that is owned by Oneka Technologies, a firm in Quebec. It takes seawater and turns it into fresh water. It is powered by the motion of the waves."

New_Fry Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Weird Squirming Living Lovecraftian Nightmare On Our Lawn Chair This Morning. What Is This Thing?

Weird Squirming Living Lovecraftian Nightmare On Our Lawn Chair This Morning. What Is This Thing?

Answer: Hag moth caterpillar with fuzzy “false arms” on its back to make it look like a dead leaf. (We’re looking at the belly)

pbjburger Report

ADVERTISEMENT

It’s not just the modern world that is full of mysteries: the further back into history we go, the more secretive things get because the purpose of some things has become lost in the fog of time. One of the most cliched and well-known examples of this is Stonehenge.

We all have our personal theories as to what it was used for (burial site, cosmic map, astronomical calendar, druidic circle, UFO landing site, etc.), but the real answer still eludes us. Researchers are still scratching their heads how the stones that weigh around 8,000 pounds (3,629 kilograms) were transported more than 200 miles (322 kilometers) to the place where Stonehenge still stands.

#10

My Boss Just Got Married, And Due To A Combination Of Indian Tradition And Him Being A Bro, He Brought Us These Little Snackboxes. He Left Before I Could Ask Him Much About Them. What Are They Called And What Are They Made Out Of?

My Boss Just Got Married, And Due To A Combination Of Indian Tradition And Him Being A Bro, He Brought Us These Little Snackboxes. He Left Before I Could Ask Him Much About Them. What Are They Called And What Are They Made Out Of?

Answer: The white block to the left is made with cashew nuts and sugar : It is called kaju barfi. The yellow block looks like it is mango flavored barfi. The circular one looks like dried fig with nuts stuffed in it. The shiny ones have edible silver foil and are also made from almonds, cashews and pistachio nuts. They are all made with clarified butter and are delicious desserts.

mstarrbrannigan Report

#11

Mini Harpoon Thing Found When Changing Bedding In A Hospital Room

Mini Harpoon Thing Found When Changing Bedding In A Hospital Room

Answer: Patient had been tased. It's a taser dart.

feickuss Report

#12

When You Pull The Ring On This, Four Little Pins Come Out. What Is It Used For?

When You Pull The Ring On This, Four Little Pins Come Out. What Is It Used For?

Answer: It's an anti-theft device for pocket watches.

johnsinternetsales Report

ADVERTISEMENT

Something else that has captured the imaginations of many individuals is a series of carvings in Peru made by the Nazca tribe. Nobody knows why exactly the Nazcas made these drawings of animals, plants, insects, and other things.

But two things are for sure: they are huge and they can be seen from the sky. But their true purpose is still shrouded in mystery. Perhaps, one day, we’ll figure out the answers to the secrets of the Nazcas, as well as solve the mysteries of Stonehenge.

#13

Found On Guam In Shallow Water. 3-Meter Diameter Disk. Top Looks Like Polyester In A Honeycomb Shape That Is Fiber Glassed To Flimsy Aluminum Disk. I'm Stumped On This One. Never Seen Anything Like It. What Is This Thing?

Found On Guam In Shallow Water. 3-Meter Diameter Disk. Top Looks Like Polyester In A Honeycomb Shape That Is Fiber Glassed To Flimsy Aluminum Disk. I'm Stumped On This One. Never Seen Anything Like It. What Is This Thing?

Answer: There was recently a Chinese Long March 3B rocket launch that failed, and the rocket and its payload was seen reentering the atmosphere near Guam

genopsyism Report

#14

What Are These Swirly Things? Found On Google Maps - Located In Cogdell, Georgia, USA

What Are These Swirly Things? Found On Google Maps - Located In Cogdell, Georgia, USA

Answer: Checked the tax records... It is or was an alligator farm.

stephi- Report

#15

Saw This In A Forest In Germany. What Is This Thing?

Saw This In A Forest In Germany. What Is This Thing?

Answer: It's a fridge, or a old time cold room. Basically a room covered with dirt for insulation

V-by-V Report

Add photo comments
POST
grubbster55 avatar
Andrew Gibb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They have these in the UK- in the winter ice from a pond or lake is put inside and this keeps food chilled through summer.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

My Grandfather Told Us To Not Remove This When Renovating. What Is This Thing?

My Grandfather Told Us To Not Remove This When Renovating. What Is This Thing?

Answer: Aztec calendar. Funny thing, I remember a bunch of these a while ago being smuggled over the border and they were made of meth.

CloudiaNYT Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#17

Mostly Concerned About Why Is This Thing?

Mostly Concerned About Why Is This Thing?

Answer: For doing surgery on the cow

CIoverload Report

Add photo comments
POST
ceredwynealanta avatar
Ceredwyn Ealanta
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Smaller ones exist for other livestock. For small sheep, that's how some of them have their hooves trimmed - they come up the run, into the machine, get flipped and manicured (and usually vaccinated with 5-in-1) checked, and then sent out! Though I imagine for a cow it's a hell of a lot scarier!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

Found In Deep Creek Md. What Is This Thing?

Found In Deep Creek Md. What Is This Thing?

Answer: Stonefly larvae. Good sign for the water quality.

GumAddict5947 Report

Add photo comments
POST
kaitlyndsouza avatar
kAiTLyN
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

did some research and the last sentence is in fact NOT sarcastic, they are sensitive to water pollution

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

What Are These Things I Keep Seeing On Nearly All The London Bus Stops In My Area?

What Are These Things I Keep Seeing On Nearly All The London Bus Stops In My Area?

Answer: It's potato art... And I'm not even kidding... The artist is unknown (some say by an artist called NoNose), if you look for 'London bus stop potato art' you can find many more articles written about it.

4tunabrix Report

#20

Growing From The Basement Ceiling At A Very Rapid Rate. It Is Also Leaving On The Table Below It, Grayish Particles. What Is This Thing?

Growing From The Basement Ceiling At A Very Rapid Rate. It Is Also Leaving On The Table Below It, Grayish Particles. What Is This Thing?

Answer: Those are the studs from your walls -- redistributed by your termites.

FallAwayAlways Report

Add photo comments
POST
queeronabike avatar
Andy Acceber
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The bug ones give me the heebie jeebies. Ugh. I wish this thread was divided into unusual/interesting and gross/scary.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

On The Underside Of Our Cabinet In The House We Recently Bought, Built In The 70s. Plastic With Metal Teeth On One Side, Very Dull. Each Side Is ~4 Inches Long. What Is This Thing?

On The Underside Of Our Cabinet In The House We Recently Bought, Built In The 70s. Plastic With Metal Teeth On One Side, Very Dull. Each Side Is ~4 Inches Long. What Is This Thing?

Answer: Jar opener

dwarfstar3434 Report

Add photo comments
POST
franziska-birk avatar
Francis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and why did we stop putting those in our kitchens? :D i need this!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

This Rainbow Effect?

This Rainbow Effect?

Answer: A rainbow is a rainbow. The cause is refraction/dispersion of light due to water in the air.
Looks like it’s raining over there. The shape is just a matter of angles and height.

idontdislikeoranges Report

Add photo comments
POST
donalomurchadha avatar
Dónal Ó Murchadha
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmmm, I've seen hundreds of rainbows in the sky and they all arched. So ,a rainbow is a rainbow' is hardly an answer and a little bit patronising. This is clearly an unusual rainbow. I think the poster knows it's a rainbow but wants to know why it's shaped this way. Nothing worse when somebody patronises you because they don't have an answer.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

What Are Those Things Called? I Think They're Typical Of Gothic Architecture?

What Are Those Things Called? I Think They're Typical Of Gothic Architecture?

Answer: Flying buttresses. They’re there to transfer the weight of the roof outwards to stop the walls bowing and collapsing.

whita_019 Report

Add photo comments
POST
markymarky270270 avatar
Mark
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes they are a decorative necessity, as said the side walls will collapse without them, doubly so with a big tower on top.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Found This In My House. I Bet My Wife It Has Something To Do With A Tie. Do I Win?

Found This In My House. I Bet My Wife It Has Something To Do With A Tie. Do I Win?

Answer: Hoof pick for cleaning horses hooves.

Ymmy805 Report

Add photo comments
POST
ioxoi avatar
David Jeu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Still sell for 320$! https://www.hermes.com/us/en/product/hoof-pick-H072826Ev93/

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

What Is This Fiber/Sand Ball? Found Among Thousands Like It On A Beach In Spain. It Weighs Almost Nothing

What Is This Fiber/Sand Ball? Found Among Thousands Like It On A Beach In Spain. It Weighs Almost Nothing

Answer: Sea grass ball

ErikBech Report

Add photo comments
POST
mssilvia8 avatar
eeyore163_1 avatar
Heather Menard
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is a trojan ball. It gets you to take it home and at night it will open and tons of insects will come out

stimpy avatar
Stimpy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seamen use them to play water polo with their seahorses

tbrittingham99 avatar
it's me again
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gawd I thought they were going to answer giant spider egg casing or something equally as hideous. :O

aniseelie avatar
First Last
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd repurpose it as a cat toy if it's safe for them to play with. And if I had a cat.

susann_campbell_7 avatar
Susann Campbell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well who made it and does it have eggs that would have hatched if left in the ocean?

dariab_1 avatar
Daria B
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't this one made by those insects that are famous for rolling a ball?

hanna-pochmann avatar
Mimi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like it, but it isn't. They are formed when waves roll dead seagrass back and forth over the sand at beaches. Corsica is full of them, we found tiny ones and some as big as a lemon.

Load More Replies...
lblsj65 avatar
Liz-ard
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I asked myself “do I really want to know what could be in there…?”

mmfree avatar
Maurettis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We used to wet them and throw them at each other when I was a kid

lily_stalcup avatar
Tina Stalcup
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do they form in such a nice ball? If anyone knows I'd love the facts!

littlegrove1110 avatar
Elizabeth Butler
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK that answer is so incomplete. How in the world to dozens of these things get formed?

hanna-pochmann avatar
Mimi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are formed when waves roll dead seagrass back and forth over the sand at beaches. Highly efficient!

Load More Replies...
connie_hirsch avatar
Connie Hirsch
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also known as Neptune balls, because they form naturally from the Neptune (sea) grass that grows in the Mediterranean! So yeah, you'd find it on the eastern beaches of Spain.

shamapes avatar
Maple Chan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OH Thank god it's a plant-thing. I was afraid it was a nest of creepy-crawlies.

pebs_1 avatar
pebs
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are very common at the seaside in Italy as well.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

What Are These Circular Metal Things On These Stairs? I Just Hit My Knee And Goddamn Did It Hurt

What Are These Circular Metal Things On These Stairs? I Just Hit My Knee And Goddamn Did It Hurt

Answer: Skateboard prevention device. Keeps em from grinding on edges.

JjzMerheb Report

Add photo comments
POST
roadkillthebrave avatar
Roadkill The Brave
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can see why some people would think this is mean, but turn about is fair play the city has probably had signs prohibiting skateboarding, asking people nicely, ticketing them, and it still went on. The kind of damage long term wear and tear would have not only on the curbs but the railings can put everyone at risk. Not to mention when they need to re-do the curbs and railings its coming out of the cities budget (if in the U.S. not sure about overseas). You can see the 'pebbled' like texture on the steps. My bet is this was their last resort. Added bonus, the constant grinding on the edges and rails can become a safety hazard, which can lead to lawsuits (U.S.) especially if its on public property. I don't care if people want to skate board, go for it, but follow the postings. They put them up for a reason.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#27

Plaque With Numbers Inscribed On It. Found On The Sidewalk Outside A Building At My University

Plaque With Numbers Inscribed On It. Found On The Sidewalk Outside A Building At My University

Answer: Magic square. It's a popular sort of decoration to put outside math departments

hadsecks Report

Add photo comments
POST
sumabiswas999 avatar
Suma Biswas
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every number both raw and colum if u sum up the ans is always 34. Try it

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

Saw This Rusty Thing On My Walk In A Forest. The Forest Belong To A Estate Wedellsborg, Vestfyn, Denmark. What Is This Thing?

Saw This Rusty Thing On My Walk In A Forest. The Forest Belong To A Estate Wedellsborg, Vestfyn, Denmark. What Is This Thing?

Answer: It is an underwater mine

Damadamas Report

#29

I Found This Hanging From The Basement Rafters Of My 100 Year Old House. It Appears To Be Two Marbles Or Something Similar In A Hanger Of Some Sort. Any One Have A Clue What This Could Be?

I Found This Hanging From The Basement Rafters Of My 100 Year Old House. It Appears To Be Two Marbles Or Something Similar In A Hanger Of Some Sort. Any One Have A Clue What This Could Be?

Answer: It's a razor blade sharpener. A 1930s salesman's special and it doesn't even sharpen the blades just realigns the edge and gets you a few more shaves.

debo3883 Report

Add photo comments
POST
pusfarm avatar
Pusfarm
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of Click Clacks, a toy I used to play with as a kid in the 70s.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Found In A Crawlspace Of A House From The 80's Next To 3 Red Boxes Encased In Concrete. What Is This Thing?

Found In A Crawlspace Of A House From The 80's Next To 3 Red Boxes Encased In Concrete. What Is This Thing?

Answer: This label is used for materials with gamma and neutron emissions This label was specifically used on containers shipped by aircraft, and that reference is from the late 50s/early 60s. Any red label is going to be Group I or II, which as stated above emits gamma rays, neutrons, or both, and is potentially harmful even with the box closed. OP's lid came from something shipped by air, but it's interesting to note that on ground shipments of the same class of materials (like with the label variant I found in my first edit), the trucks themselves were required to be marked "CAUTION" or "DANGEROUS - RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS" on the sides and rear of the vehicle just to haul this kind of material.
Post author update: As of today a 3 man team from the state of Utah department of environmental quality, division of waste management and radiation control, uranium Mills and radioactive materials section (holy [crap]) showed up at my friend's house around 10am and spent a few hours taking readings, swabbing samples and asking questions and after all of that, found nothing but natural trace amounts of radon. The "lid" they think was from the late 1950's and was unrelated to the "vault".

mosaltedchipz Report

Add photo comments
POST
merijn-ryckebusch avatar
MerrRyck
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is all very interesting but.. I don't accept you being all: oh hey look, here's a really cool vault nobody wanted to be found. YOU CAN'T LEAVE WITHOUT SHOWING WHAT'S IN THE VAULT!! No sir, I demand more respect for the curiosity itch! Thank you.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#31

I’m Not Doing My Dishes Until I Know What This Beautiful Thing Is

I’m Not Doing My Dishes Until I Know What This Beautiful Thing Is

Answer: That’s a bacteria pellicle.

rpunx Report

#32

So I Found This Key In With A Bunch Of Things I Was Given Decades Ago When My Grandfather Died. Anyone Ever Seen A Key Like This Before? It’s About 2cm Long An I Have No Clue Where It Came From

So I Found This Key In With A Bunch Of Things I Was Given Decades Ago When My Grandfather Died. Anyone Ever Seen A Key Like This Before? It’s About 2cm Long An I Have No Clue Where It Came From

Answer: The swastika was one of Britain's favourite lucky charms during WW1, e.g. this swastika key charm from the war. There were swastika cushions in British homes & the Scouts had a swastika badge. There must have been a mass domestic clear out in the 1930s/40s, as such items now rare.

hugosp0ps Report

Add photo comments
POST
ioxoi avatar
David Jeu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never knew the brits used this symbol before the nazis. Very interesting.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

What Is This Thing That You Always See On An Escalator?

What Is This Thing That You Always See On An Escalator?

Answer: They help keep shoes, dresses, handbags, etc. from getting snagged in the tiny gap at the side. I use them as a little shoe shine, too.

kristhecadet Report

#34

What Are These Are What Are They For? The Girl Sitting Across From Me Had Them On All Fingers On Both Hands

What Are These Are What Are They For? The Girl Sitting Across From Me Had Them On All Fingers On Both Hands

Answer: Oval finger splints for treating: Arthritis, Boutonniere Deformities, Crooked Finger, Fractures, Hypermobility (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), Lateral Deviation, Mallet Finger, Swan Neck, Trigger Finger, Trigger Thumb


aniwrack Report

Add photo comments
POST
casper_slinkman avatar
Slinkman
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'Hmmm.. What is that?' 'Shall i ask her politely?' 'Nááááh let's take a photo of her hand and upload it to a site that has a black and white bear without hobbies as a mascotte and ask there for the answer!'

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

Found In The Middle Of Asian Desert, In Google Earth At 40°26'37"N 90°48'00"E. What Is This Thing?

Found In The Middle Of Asian Desert, In Google Earth At 40°26'37"N 90°48'00"E. What Is This Thing?

Answer: They are the evaporation ponds for the Xinjiang Lop Nur Potash Co., Ltd. one of the world's largest potassium sulfate production mines

StopLookingAtMyName- Report

#36

Found In The Wood In A Creek. It Was Under A Piece Of Wood. What Is This Thing?

Found In The Wood In A Creek. It Was Under A Piece Of Wood. What Is This Thing?

Answer: Those look like midge eggs, an aquatic fly

Ordralphabetix Report

See Also on Bored Panda
#37

Found On The Norfolk (UK) Coast. Very Soft And Floppy, Pale Pink But Not Rotten Or Water Bloated. What Is This?

Found On The Norfolk (UK) Coast. Very Soft And Floppy, Pale Pink But Not Rotten Or Water Bloated. What Is This?

Answer: A hairless seal flipper

poetry-divided Report

#38

This Sci-Fi Looking Place In Poland, Somewhere By Krakow. What Is This Thing?

This Sci-Fi Looking Place In Poland, Somewhere By Krakow. What Is This Thing?

Answer: Alvernia Studios is a film studio located near Kraków, Poland, 18 km (10 miles) from the Kraków-Balice Airport, with additional offices in Mumbai and Warsaw.

StayAtHomeDuck Report

Add photo comments
POST
dariab_1 avatar
Daria B
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Toriyama style architecture. Bet they all come from capsules and the studio can travel the world if they wanted to. ♡

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

An Opening In The Bottom Floor Of An 1850s Home In Charleston, Sc. What Is This Thing?

An Opening In The Bottom Floor Of An 1850s Home In Charleston, Sc. What Is This Thing?

Answer: A way to access your crawlspace, there’s usually plumbing, wiring and potentially ductwork that periodically may need maintenance

bikematt7109 Report

#40

Poured A Glass Of Water Last Night From The Tap Left It Under The Light On The Night Stand, Next Morning I Found This Floating In It... What Could It Be?

Poured A Glass Of Water Last Night From The Tap Left It Under The Light On The Night Stand, Next Morning I Found This Floating In It... What Could It Be?

Answer: If it actually did come out the tap with the water, my guess is some sort of flocculant/coagulant used in tap-water treatment, that somehow made it past the system and was still dissolved/in suspension in the water. Then settled out during the night.
These chemicals are used to attract particle in the water and clump them together for easier removal. Some of those "concoctions" looks similar to this after settling out.

John5671 Report

Note: this post originally had 98 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.