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40 Times People Had No Idea What They Were Looking At, But The Internet Knew What It Was Right Away (New Pics)
The last time we wrote an article about the subreddit "What is this thing?", it had 894,000 members. Now, the number has grown to 1.8 million. No wonder -- it delivers. People keep going to the community with photos of possessions they need identifying, and they keep getting answers, too.
From the roof plate of a drum fish to a fancy sugar cube holder, these Internet detectives don't shy away from any case. "About 75-85% of all the items posted to this subreddit are solved, and out of those about 50-60% are solved within the first 30 minutes of the post going live," a moderator of the subreddit told Bored Panda. "The average time of solving what an item is around 20-30 minutes, and about 15-20% of the posts made here don't go live at all, because the moderation team has solved it through modmail, or by commenting on the post before it goes live due to the sheer amount of different things the moderators have seen."
Continue scrolling and check out some of the most memorable recent posts!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I Found This Blue Disc In A Packet Of Sour Cream Crisps. Its Has The Words "Ferrous 25mm Bst, Cert Number 213026b" On It. What Is This Thing?
Answer: It's a testing chip. It goes through the metal detectors to ensure they're working. There's a problem here though. You send X number of testers you get X number back. If you get X-1 or some other number you stop the line until you find your chip. The entire purpose of the test is to make sure that stuff like this--which is supposed to simulate a foreign object--does not get through. There's usually paperwork to document this. Write to the outfit and tell them what you found and rest assured there will be a s**tstorm on the other end.
Nothanks L. Walk 5 years ago
Wait so when people find a thumb in their chicken nuggets, there's a tester somewhere anxiously looking through the batter to get his thumb back?
Mme de Poppadom 5 years ago
Qua-something. Qua... Quar... Qua... Qual... Quar... Quabity. Quabity assuance!
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It's worth mentioning that every now and then a case goes unsolved no matter how popular it becomes. For example, when an active redditor submitted a thing that strongly resembled a specific model of an anti-personnel landmine. "The active account went completely silent for months, causing many to fear that there was a fatal accident, to the point of people scouring news sites for any stories about ordnance fatalities," the moderator recalled. Luckily, the person turned out to be fine; another user tracked them down and contacted them on another website. "Unfortunately, what that sleuthy user did to track down the submitter counts as doxxing, which is against reddit sitewide rules, so his elaborate write up of tracking the person down had to be removed." But that just goes to show how much this community is dedicated to the common cause.
RELATED:
#2
What Are These Characters Found On The Back Side Of A Sign On A Woodland Trail In Alaska?
Answer: It's Stafir Móti Aðsókn an Icelandic magical sigil/stave to protect against ghosts and evil spirits
Shopper East 5 years ago
The writers of that would probably say the same of the Alphabet.
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Consequential_mishaps 5 years ago
Ok taking bets on how long it takes some moron coming along and thinking it would make a "super cool" tattoo and f*****g it up for everyone.
Evan Martin 5 years ago
How exactly does that "f**k it up" for everyone? Are you always this judge-y or just on the internet? Just sayin...
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Demongrrrrl 5 years ago
Which sort of begs the question, why are these home protection sigils carved on a trail sign in Alaska?
Astrid Nineor 5 years ago
Þessa stafi skal rista á eik og bera á blóð úr stafirmotiadsoknhendi og hengja þá yfir dyr þínar og mun þá fátt inn fara.
Zeeannemoon 5 years ago
so.... from my limited knowledge of nordic languages: carved in oak, covered with ??? blood and then hung above your door so they can't get in? Sounds like very old magic to me :) what does stafirmotiadsoknhendi mean? something with hand?
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clive apps 5 years ago
It looks like an electrical schematicl diagram of an antenna system with various different configurations and grounding systems.
XianJaguar 5 years ago
First thing I thought of was that movie "The Ritual". I guess I wasn't far off in thinking that.
Sometimes, redditors themselves get in the way of all the detective work. "The most common breach of guidelines is people making jokes, which makes it harder for people to see the correct answer," the moderator explained. "Jokes will get people a temporary ban; more jokes get a permanent ban. It's a pretty simple rule, but a great deal of time is spent weeding those out."
#3
Help Identify What These Are And What They Were Used For? Passed Down By Family - UK
Answer: An apprentice final piece before becoming a journey man engraver.
Ms Phit 5 years ago
AMAZING! Hand engraving like this is a dying art, and very tricky to perfect. I was lucky enough to take some classes from a master engraver in Florence many years ago...(I can do a few skills)It takes a lot of steady arm strength and control plus excellent sharpening skills....a dull graver makes c**p lines and can cause terrible stab injuries (I've seen an apprentice with a graver through his hand...he slipped, right after he thought to himself...wait, did I sharpen this enough?) AND THAT'S MY LITTLE ENGRAVING STORY FOR Y'ALL! :-)
The moderator said they think the popularity of the subreddit boils down to human nature -- we're curious creatures. "My guess as to why this subreddit is so popular is the instant gratification of managing to solve something using your own knowledge, and people's intrinsic need of figuring out what something unknown is. It's also a great place to learn how to find information quickly, as most of the time there seems to be a race between people to solve the items that have been posted," they added.
#4
Blue Glass Token Found In A Field In France, Though One Of The Ships Flags Kind Of Looks Like A Union Jack. Game Piece Or History?
Answer: It's a part of a ring warn by somone important on one of the shipping companies in the 18th century
Go Hawks 5 years ago
That would be cool! We should start doing that again. People used to wear seals on rings, right?
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JessG 5 years ago
Seeing as the markings suggest an actual shipping company, I think the answer here is correct
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Miłka Chromińska 5 years ago
Woah! I hope the person who found it gets to trace it back and find who it belonged to 😁
Kevin 5 years ago
Um...they're probably dead by now seeing how it was from in the 1800's...
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Experts think that the roots of our ever-hungry curiosity can be linked to what is called neoteny. This term from evolutionary theory means the "retention of juvenile characteristics". It means that as a species, humans are more child-like than other mammals. Being relatively hairless is one example. A big brain relative to body size is another. Our lifelong curiosity and playfulness, they think, is just another behavioral characteristic of neoteny.
#5
I Found This Metal Object. No Text Or Numbers. Can Retract To Be The Size Of A Bracelet. What Is This Thing?
Answer: It's the top (closure part) of a purse or small handbag.
Sara Marques 5 years ago
This object belongs to a silver coin purse, like the one in the picture. purse-5f5b...db54c9.jpg 
SirPatTheCat 5 years ago
My coin purse if I was a medieval knight in the 1600's it doesn't have any coins though because I'm so fricking poor after buying my horse and armor
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GalacticUnicorn 5 years ago
I have a purse like this. The outer part is made of fine gold-plated mesh and is lined with silk. Found it in a second hand store.
James Morgan 5 years ago
Its called a misers purse, it's probably Victorian. And they came as mesh, cloth, or leather. I have a leather one.
Laila Hernandez 5 years ago
SO cool! ive always wanted wanted one o those 4 a bracelet, like with jewels tho...
#6
Metal 3-4 Inches, With Glass Balls. What Is This Thing?
Answer: These were how old reflectors were made, like for railroads
K.Kobayashi 5 years ago
It's a reflector (retroreflector). A transparent glass sphere will reflect light in the direction it came from. Modern reflective paint works the same way - they have tiny little glass beads in them.
Load More Replies... danielw 5 years ago
glass spheres embedded into the metal disk. they work by reflecting light internally back at the lightsource (which is near enough to the viewer, to glow.)
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Go Hawks 5 years ago
You two need to get together, lol! I bet those are worth a lot to the right person
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#7
I Know It’s A Chair, But What’s With The Extended Arms?
Answer: It looks like a plantation/planters chair. You’d put your sore swollen legs up on the arms after sitting on a horse all day, like a pregnant woman with her legs up in the same fashion. This is why the back is so sloped as well. If you sit up straight it wouldn’t be comfortable to put your legs up like that, but in a reclined position it’s good for blood flow and air flow.
Catlady6000 5 years ago
Yes. Yes you do. The horses love it. They would run right over you to get to their chair
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Pauline Bennett 5 years ago
If I'd been on a a horse all day - that ain't the part of my anatomy that would be sore and swollen.
#8
Ditches In A Field Next To An Airport. Didn't Use To Be There Before. What Is This Thing?
Answer: Before construction, they are required to look for sites of archaeological interest. This is the pattern that they use to search for those. They trench a line and the dots on each side of the trench are the dirt which has been removed
Wilf 5 years ago
In the UK there are archaelogical requirements before a development. The basic process is desk-based assessment which first identifies the likelihood of any archaeology on that site using documentary sources, followed by geophysical survey of the site to characterise and target areas of interest, followed by evaluation trenches to understand what the archaeology looks like in the ground, and then usually a 'watching brief' where an archaeologist remains on site during the development work to identify any archaeology that might turn up as the building work progresses.
Jon S. 5 years ago (edited)
There is a faint cropmark indicating a rectangular enclosure centre right of the image, where the two sets of trenches touch at right angles. By the looks of it, they found something interesting because they dug an additional small trench to tests the extent of what they uncovered.
Natasha Bettis 5 years ago
According to this article, the dig yielded a number of significant finds: https://oxfordarchaeology.com/news/718-rare-anglo-saxon-finds-at-cherry-hinton-cambridge.
Kim Scott 5 years ago
That is a serious amount of testing! Where the heck was this?! (asking as as friend of a California archaeologist)
Jon S. 5 years ago
This will be somewhere in the uk, I reckon. This kind of trenching is quite common here. 2-5% of a site has the be archaeologically sampled if there is a reasonable expectation that archaeological remains might be present and in the uk there are old settlements everywhere, especially Roman.
Load More Replies... Pauline Bennett 5 years ago
Is this done all over the world, in all major building sites. I wonder - fascinating.
#9
A Silver Utensil. When You Press The Button On One End The Grips Open. What Is This Thing?
Answer: Sugarcube holder.
For tea parties with scones.
Or coffee and cake.
Hilary Mol 5 years ago
Your description made me do a spit-take of water on my laptop. I salute you.
Load More Replies... Philler Space 5 years ago
Parents used to have one of these to get the gherkin pickles out of the bottom of the jar.
SoozeeQ 5 years ago (edited)
Yep, that was my first thought too. Or cocktail onions. Never seen it used with sugar cubes. They were usually tiny silver tongs.
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D L C 5 years ago
Yes, this is used by proctologists to retrieve sex toys, after a misadventure.
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Gareth Graham 5 years ago
I'm pretty sure I saw one of these in a horror film for removing an eyeball
Eduardo Del Cerro 5 years ago
My parents had one like this but longer and it was for ice cubes
#10
Switch On The Back Of An Old Clock Labelled "Miracle Eye". What Is This?
Answer: I think it is a light sensor that can be turned on and off. When on the clock will not make chime noises unless it senses light. This way at night it does not wake people up.
Ami LiSa 5 years ago
Or the church bells. I live 3 blocks away from the church. Before covid we could hear the mass too
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Stimpy 5 years ago
Yeah, why use clear labelling ("light sensor") when you can make it weird instead?
Demongrrrrl 5 years ago
Marketing - "Buy our clock with the amazing Miracle Eye (tm)!"
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Cathy Coyer 5 years ago
but once you're accustomed to the chimes, you sleep right thru them without waking
Kim Lorton 5 years ago
Any time i was in a home where the clock chimed, drove me nuts! They also tick really loud. Ugh
Lynn Morello 5 years ago
There is nothing worse than a 2 am clock going Bonnnnnnnng Bonnnnnnnng. and wakes you thinking WTF?
#11
I Bought This "Thing" Years Ago, But Never Knew What It Was, I Just Thought It Looked Cool! The Center Globe Piece Spins And Is Weighted At One End, So Even If You Give It A Spin, It Always Ends Up With The "10" Facing Up. The Numbers Are 10-130, In Increments Of 10. What Is This Thing?
Answer: This is a thermometer. My grandfather had the same exact device. Look at the number where it aligns with the convex (upper) portion of the plane, that should be the approximate temperature in Fahrenheit. I was always told to not spin it because it would mess with its accuracy
Oskar vanZandt 5 years ago
Very clever tool! And no power required (except for the fingers/hand)...
D L C 5 years ago
Actually, a marvel of the present -- our radio-telephonies still don't tell us room temperature. Thus the need for this.
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#12
Found 14 Years Ago In A Hole In A Log On Dallas Road Beach In Victoria, Bc, Canada. A Mystery That Remains Unsolved
Answer: Pieces from an art installation http://www.dianathompson.net/2nd_Nature/kag.html
Marcellus the Third 5 years ago
This should be higher up, as most of the others are relatively easy --- e.g. the horrid polyphore mushroom, most people won't find the species or even genus but it is obviously a mushroom; the sugarcube-gripper is very obviously gripping something about an inch diameter; the monopoly pieces are very recognizably the Monopoly man; etc etc. This is so specific that it really is almost impossible to solve!
Kiki Van Houten 5 years ago
I once found a stone like the specled stone above the coin. It was in one of the pockets of the stonewashed jeans I had bought. Always presumed it was used during the washingprocedure to create the stonewash effect.
Wyndmere 5 years ago
There a homemade (drilled), used as a domino set, or to teach numbers, or in a gambling game.
Michelle Line 5 years ago
That link really doesn’t explain why they were made. Only that they are “handmade” stones.
c Fuller 5 years ago
it is the texture and feel of the stones that she used to make art. Read all 3 pages.
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sam thecat 5 years ago
Installation art that was forgotten? I’d go look for all those stones and keep them.
Go Hawks 5 years ago
Darnit, I've been there & don't remember seeing them! Well, it's so beautiful there, i probably need to go again & pay attention this time (when we're allowed to travel again...)
Go Hawks 5 years ago
Now that I think about it, they're probably gone... Time for go to bed...
Load More Replies... #13
My Grandad Dug This Up? Found In Liverpool, Possibly WW2, It Was Found With The Decoration On, What Is It?
Answer: Yea ! It’s a thing ! Called trench art , google it there will be tons of beautiful engravings on shells
François Carré 5 years ago
Many soldiers had professional skills in handcraft. Creating art out of battlefield rubbish, like bombshells, was important for these men's mental health. Not only they could practice their skills and pass the time (life in the trenches between deadly assaults was actually dull, uncomfortable and boring) but beyond that, in the middle of this awful wartime, it made them remind they were civilized people, able to create beauty and celebrate life even out of lethal material.
StormWolf 5 years ago
Very well written and explained, François. Thank you!
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Jonathan Reiter 5 years ago
That looks like an Objet D'Art. What was called Trench Art. WW2 is a bit too recent for that... WW1 is more like it...
Celtic Pirate Queen 5 years ago (edited)
My Grandfather & my Great Uncle (both dear men) created this kind of art. I didn't realize it had a name. Unfortunately, my Grandmother was an evil old woman and destroyed everything (no - it had nothing to do with the war, she was a hateful, vindictive b***h and didn't want any of us to have something we might actually treasure). So glad we had her cremated. That's really the only way to kill a demon, right?
#14
Cones Of Dunshire Found In German Supermarket?
Answer: It's a so called "Schultüte". When children have their first day of school, they get it filled by their parents with gifts and sweets
XianJaguar 5 years ago
Lucky indeed. I got a notepad, crayons and a big wooden pencil (the kind for kids when they first use a pencil). No treats or sweets whatsoever. I should have grown up in Germany.
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Juan Mejias 5 years ago (edited)
My kid attended a German school in Seville, Spain. As parents we were expected to do this for him at the start of the school year. It was great fun
Ralf Cabel 5 years ago
Not just sweets but also other things like toys, pencils, books or small things that the children wished for. ... but mostly sweets ;)
True Blue 5 years ago
Now I really when I'm older and if I have kids send them to a school in Germany
Yvonne Blau 5 years ago
They only get these when starting school as first-graders, not every year. That would be a nice idea though...
Load More Replies... #15
Found In A Public Park/Disc Golf Course. Everything Not Screened In Is Removable. What Is It For?
Answer: It’s a bee and bug house, it’s filled with different materials for lone bugs to overwinter
Ayra 5 years ago
They are often used by birds as free all-you-can-eat. It's better to have a grid in front of it so they can't get inside.
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SaraFromHell with you all! 5 years ago
Good for you. I'm going to as well. Without bees..there is no us.
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SaraFromHell with you all! 5 years ago
I wonder how much they charge...that'll be 2 legs of any and a fly head, please. Enjoy your stay.
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JoodLikesTea 5 years ago
Insekt hus! You can buy these everywhere here in Sweden, toystores/ supermarket etc have them. To encourage a range of bugs in your garden to keep it healthy and balanced. My kid's preschool has them all over and we have one in our vege garden!
SaraFromHell with you all! 5 years ago
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Elke Bogaert 5 years ago
This is common in my home country Belgium. I have one, so does almost everybody that I know. Even at work we have huge ones and in the village we have several in the parcs.
Bumblebee 5 years ago
Common by your north neighbors too :-). I live in the Netherlands and we have one in our garden. For me it isn't a mystery object at all. And I bet 90-99% of the people who live over here will know what it is too. It is so common over here, that you don't even realize it is a strange / unknown object in some other places..
Load More Replies... #16
What Are The Purpose Of The Metal Plates On The Ground In Front Of Some Of The Water Fountains At Universal Studios Orlando?
Answer: Blind people and their walking stick.
postboredom 5 years ago
This should be present in every public spot and not just Universal Studios Orlando
Courtney Grace 5 years ago
I'm sorry but we really have to stop thinking about those kind of stuff as "thoughtful." This should be standard. Ableism is a real problem. For it to be "thoughtful" we would of had to have done something that extra, something more. This isn't extra this should be the norm.
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Thomas Ewing 5 years ago
Oh, I thought it was to ground you in the event of a lightning storm!
Onion rings like to make your breath smelly 5 years ago
I dont get how it works though (please dont be rude im just curious)
Doris Won 5 years ago
I am guessing that the blind people would use their canes to tap the floor when they walk so if they tap the floor and hear the difference in sound then they would know what it is and where to stand to get some water. I am just guessing I don't really know the answer too it's just what I personally came up with.
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Claire Armstrong 5 years ago
Fantastic! Have I ever told my story about the guide dog doing the toilet? It stood over a drain at the side of the road and did the toilet there. The amazing thing - it managed to get it all DOWN THE DRAIN! I was, and still am, blown away by it!
Molly Block 5 years ago
As a legally blind woman who often uses a white can, (NOT a "walking stick!"), I am almost offended by this.
Mette Olsen Douglas 5 years ago
I guess in that case we thank you for teaching us that the preferred wording is a cane - not knowing anyone who's legally blind I (for one) would have no way of knowing this!
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#17
Found On A Beach Of Lake Erie. I’ve Lived Near The Lake My Whole Life And Never Have Seen Something Like This. What Is This Thing?
Answer: the roof plate of a drum fish
#18
Found This Washed Up On A Beach In Massachusetts. It’s Wooden And Looks Handcrafted. Maybe A Piece Of A Chair?
Answer: It looks like a Davis Quadrant or Backstaff, a navigational instrument predecessor of the sextant. Maybe you should take that to a museum, with nautical expertise
SaraFromHell with you all! 5 years ago
I was thinking crutch. Lol..looks medical or nautical for sure!
Load More Replies... Laila Hernandez 5 years ago
looks like a stool or if you look at the bottom, a piece of dna or a ladder
Out of chocolate 5 years ago (edited)
PEM baby! Sorry- that’s where I was married. I get excited.
Kim Lorton 5 years ago
It looks almost like a sextant, but not, how wonderful it is to find it intact! I would do just that and take it to a museum. Its possible a wreck shifted from storms and it is dropping, its long held treasures and history!
#19
What Is This Appliance Built Into This Kitchen Island?
Answer: I had one of these in my kitchen and I loved it! It was near my regular sink so I could pull the faucet head over to fill the “pot” then I would turn it on to boil the water. It has a pot that goes inside it that has holes in it - like a strainer. You put the strainer inside the “sink” and then toss your items that you want to boil inside the strainer and cover it. Once your food is cooked you lift out the strainer, flip the switch and all the boiling water drains out. The biggest advantage was not having to carry a large pot of boiling water over from your regular stove top to the sink to drain out the water. I used it for boiling pasta, potatoes, corn on the cob and I loved it!! I started to have trouble with it not holding water and when I contacted Kohler the said so sorry, but the model was discontinued. It was great while it lasted!!
Mariana Schneider 5 years ago
not just to boil water, to cook and steam food :)
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Rubee Tubesteak 5 years ago
Yeah, I still don't *quite* understand how this saves anyone time or effort?
Load More Replies... Claire Armstrong 5 years ago
Okay, when I win the lottery (when, not if 🤞😃) and I'm designing my dream home, I'm having one of these in my kitchen lol
Panda Kicki 5 years ago
I have pots with fitting strainer, when ready I just lift the strainer and leave the pot on the stove until it is cold. Totally agree lifting boiling stuff is a risky situation.
More! 5 years ago
Look at how narrow the sink is (beneath the faucet/tap) That would make washing large items difficult.
Catlady6000 5 years ago
It's not for washing. It's actually a cooking appliance used to boil or steam.
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Robert Pittman 5 years ago
My grandmother's Hotpoint stove had one, she called it a deep-well. Underneath it was coiled wire like on a hotplate, so it burned out every few years. She used it a lot.
#20
Chest Of Drawers With No Drawer Sides And A Hole At The Front Of The Drawer. What Is This Thing?
Answer: Looks like an Artist’s Cabinet or Flat File. It’s a set of drawers for storing drawings, architectural plans, etc.
CpNoodles ! 5 years ago
It's for sheet music. I was handed down one from my dad that was handed down from my grandma. Looks exactly the same. Should have real gold painted numbers on every draw too, if they made it that long. It's a wonderful piece to have. Take good care of it!
LaDonna Hulcy 5 years ago
If it is a map file it's the strangest one I've seen and I work with map files. maybe it's an antique? I can see it being an artists flat file.
#21
Found In Forest In Sweden, About 1m From Ground, Roughly 20cm In Size. Hard To The Touch, But Drips Liquid When Knocked. What Is This Thing?
Answer: Looks like a polypore fungus that is exuding excess moisture, called guttation.
Helouise Doofenschmirtz 5 years ago
Oh my gosh the fish mouth one was bad enough. I hate this so much
D L C 5 years ago
Simple. Just make a nice brandy / cream sauce, slice thin, and serve over pasta.
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Alejandra Lima 5 years ago
"Hard to the touch".... I won't touch something like this not even with a huge branch
#22
My College Sent Me This And I Have No Clue What Its For. What Is This Thing?
Answer: It's called a germ key
Paula Conniff 5 years ago
It is meant to attach to a key ring (with the little ring hole toward left) and then you use the hook end to open doors without touching the handle!
Candace Fitzpatrick 5 years ago
First thing on this list so far that I knew! Thanks coronavirus!
Michelle Line 5 years ago
I have a small, telescoping stylus on my car key ring that I started using on atms and entering my pin on credit card machines when the pandemic started.
#23
What Is This Slack In Power Lines? What Purpose Does It Serve?
Answer: Former CATV tech here. It's called an expansion loop. Coaxial cable (for cable tv) is mostly aluminum which expands and contracts with temperature changes moreso than the steel supporting strand to which it is attached.
If this expansion loop wasn't there, the cable would literally suck out of the compression fittings in the Winter and kink in the Summer.
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
Slack in power lines ----- not this example, but in general ---- is to allow for seasonal compression/expansion, and also, if you don't have enough slack ---- one bad wind and there goes the whole power line... Always leave slack.
SaraFromHell with you all! 5 years ago
I knew that. Grandpa worked for the electric company for 65 years...Hes 92 now. Still runs. I joke it's from all the free electricity Hes had coasting through his veins. My grandma says it helped her too...those two😁
Lisa 5 years ago
It's so the cable doesn't shift with temperature variations.
Load More Replies... #24
Clock Thing Numbered 0 Through 5 Found In Prague, Czech Republic. What Is This Thing?
Answer: Water level indicator - limnigraph
Miss Cris 5 years ago
It'll take longer according to climate change, so you may act before it's too late.
Load More Replies... David K 5 years ago
There is another limnigraph close to this one in Prague. This one was built in 1907. It´s actually a hydrographic and a meteorologic device at the same time. Weathercock on the roof indicates the direction of the wind and then there are multiple other instruments installed in the building such as a barograph, a maximum/minimum temperature thermometer, a thermograph and a humidity meter. Quite a cool thing for its time.
Pauline Bennett 5 years ago
Level of water - what water sea level? Underground water? Water in your well? Oh hell maybe I'll just google limnigraph My spellcheck says its spelled wrong?
#25
Found This Hidden In The Ceiling Of My Basement With A Bunch Of Others. Made Out Of Glass, Appears To Have Some Sort Of Tape Or Paper Border Around It. Hining A Light Through It Doesn’t Project A Clean Image. What Is This Thing?
Answer: Magic Lantern glass slide
M O'Connell 5 years ago
This looks to be a mass-produced mid-19th Century one.
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#26
My Great Grandpa, An Iowa Native And Ww2 Veteran, Passed Away And Left Behind This Tool Or Decorative Piece. It Is Solid Metal, Has No Markings, And Weighs A Few Ounces. What Is This Thing ? Screwdriver Is For Scale
Answer: I think your grandfather might have known someone in the Navy. Those are used in a ceremony when crossing over the equator. So I think your grandfather is what you refer to as a shellback. That is someone who's been over the equator.
Miss Cris 5 years ago
Now I'd like to know how the ceremony is and how this hammer (?) is used there.
Steven Meyer 5 years ago
The ceremony is degrading to the “ polywogs” ( what the call someone who is not yet a shellback) Ceremonies differ, but when I was stationed on board the USS Midway in the 80s our a ceremony started at four in the morning when the shellbacks ( people who have already crossed the equator) came to our compartments and woke us up. And then put a dog collar on our necks and a leash to the dog collar and walked us around on our hands and knees on the hard metal deck for about an hour. We ended up on the flight deck, and they had filled inflatable swimming pools with fire fighting foam, also called sheep’s blood. You had to dive in the pool and swim out the other side, then they put you into a large tube filled with about a weeks Worth of garbage has been stored on the ship. You have to crawl through all the nasty garbage and come out the other side without throwing up.If you complain or throw up, they put you in old wood stocks where your head and hands are held captive, and the ships docto
Billy Haake 5 years ago (edited)
I was in the Marine Corps in 1966. 500 Marines and 1500 soldiers were transported via ship to Vietnam. When we reached the International Dateline, the captain stopped the ship and ordered that the uniform of the day would be skivvy shorts. We suspected something was up. All of us newbies were lined up on the stern deck which was awash in seawater and garbage. Singly, we had to slither through the mess on our stomachs while about 10-12 veterans whipped our asses with belts until we got to "King Neptune". He was a huge, pot bellied sailor sitting on a makeshift throne holding a trident and a ladle. His pot belly was covered with engine grease. He would dip the ladle into a barrel of seawater and garbage and make us take a swig, then push our face into his grease covered belly. We were then sworn into the "Domain Of The Golden Dragon". I was on the ship on the Pacific for almost three weeks and it was the best time I had in the Marine Corp.
Ben Garfath 5 years ago
For a pretty rosy view of Line Crossing ceremonies, here's the Royal Australian Navy's take: ( https://www.navy.gov.au/customs-and-traditions/crossing-line )
Dave In MD 5 years ago
Been across the line a few times and have never seen a hammer like that. Not horrible, fun. And of course voluntary.
Emilious Tarr 5 years ago
I have crossed the line several times as well, our hammer wasn't that ornate, but we did have a hammer, and while they said we could opt out, that would get you pretty much ostracized.
Load More Replies... Cathy Proctor 5 years ago
I can't find anywhere that states sailors get a tool or memorabilia only a certificate
#27
Small Hard ‘Pellet’ Found Inside A Cooked King Crab Leg, Roughly The Size Of A Pea. What Is This Thing?
Answer: crab pearl
Foxxy (The Original) 5 years ago
Well how about that, just looked it up and sometimes even fish can make "pearls". Bad news though these pearls are worthless.
Orillion 5 years ago
To be fair, regular pearls are only worth something because people say they are.
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SaraFromHell with you all! 5 years ago
Whaaaaaaaat!? Its worthless nominally I'm guessing but I want one anyway. I love weird s**t.
Oskar vanZandt 5 years ago
Not surprising since we human beings can produce kidney stones... which are also calcium deposits.
Sandy Murphey 5 years ago
If fish/crabs can only make these "sometimes" wouldn't that make it kinda rare?"
Lynn Hussey 5 years ago
Omg I Found one of these two wks. ago on a beach here in Cape Breton..it's an orange color!
#28
Heavy Metal Cubes On The End Of Chain With Different Shapes On Each Side Of The Cubes. Aa Battery For Scale. What Is This Thing?
Answer: Han Solo’s lucky dice
Kiss Army 5 years ago
They were given away as a free promo at a special screening of Solo. If I could find mine, I'd send them to you!
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Aimee Simmons 5 years ago
yep... I got one for me and my husband both when we went to see the movie Solo the night before opening night. It was a special they had running. :)
Eggo* .' . 5 years ago
just stick a rectangular pice of metal at each and and you have your very own metal nunchucks.
#29
My Friend Found This Scaffold-Like Structure On A Trip. There Was A Paintball/Airsoft Field And A Hotel Nearby, But I'm Confused About The Purpose Of This. Located In Czechia. What Is This Thing?
Answer: it is a 3D maze. Used in kid's camp or other outdoor activity clubs (Paintball, Airsoft, Trekking, etc.)In a paintball setting, it could be used to hold a flag or another capturable objective.
Nathan Girard 5 years ago
That looks like it could be either a jungle gym or something out of Saw...
#30
What Is This Thing? It Perfectly Fits In Each Other And There Was Some Sort Of Liquid In It
Answer: It's a herb grinder (mostly for weed).
Foxxy (The Original) 5 years ago
I have seen many of these that look similar and everyone I know that has one, uses it for weed, never seen anyone use it for herbs.
La Petite Morte 5 years ago
I got one for my SO so he could grind herbs for roast rubs and tea. It came with a huge pot leaf picture glued to the top. *sigh*
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Cyd Charisse 5 years ago
All holier-than-thous: do you drink coffee? Then you do drugs. Do you take aspirin? Then you do drugs. Stop being judgy
Mewton’s Third Paw 5 years ago (edited)
There’s legit only one critical comment and it is troll tier. Nobody is being holier than thou, you’re just repeating a popular pro weed talking point. I probably smoke more weed than everyone here combined but even I didn’t feel there were any judgy comments aside from that one troll that’s severely downvoted.
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SaraFromHell with you all! 5 years ago
Omg as if they didn't know that...some have screens to collect keef. I used to own several head shop s.
Juan Alcorta 5 years ago
I bought one thinking it was a garlic grinder. I was amazed that I found it at a cigarette shop
Jackson Allinder 5 years ago
Last year when I was 12 I saw one on the ground and I gave it to my mother and she google it and I already knew it was for weed, it was obvious and it had a bit Bob Marley sticker on it.
#31
Small Plastic Figurines Found Buried In Backyard. 1” Mustachioed Bald Men With Hands On Head, Printed With Arrows. (Ca, USA)
Answer: Hasbro produced a Monopoly mini-game in 2009 called Monopoly: Get Out Of Jail. It looks like these were the game pieces used.
#32
What Is This?? It Is Not A Pen, The Tip Is Sharp Metal And Doesn’t Write. No Place For Ink Or Graphite Or Anything. All One Cohesive Piece With A Plastic Cap. What Is It For?
Answer: Looks like a scriber. They're used to make lines or marks on metal, wood, or a number of other materials. That looks like a metalworking one to me but may not be that specific.
Sent From The Slytherin House 5 years ago
Oh. Although I have no reason for it, I still want it.
#33
What Is This Thing On This Serial Killers Head While He Was In Court?
Answer: He's partially deaf. It's basically a giant hearing aid (sound amplifier headphones).
Philler Space 5 years ago
If they had those and they worked shouldn't everyone wear them?
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Vitor Velasco 5 years ago
So he wasn't lying when he said "no one will hear you scream" to his victims.
Tiny Dynamine 5 years ago
I would have thought that hearing aids could be a lot smaller by now...
SaraFromHell with you all! 5 years ago
Oh wow. Our church had these back almost 20 years but they were much smaller and not worn on the head I don't think....
Daniel Clarke 5 years ago
*Alleged* serial killer's head. Until proven guilty, has has the benefit of doubt.
#34
House On My Running Route Partially Sunken Into The Ground
Answer: Just a guess, but maybe built during the 70’s energy crisis. A home near where I grew up was built with a berm around most of it to save on heating and cooling
Carrie Holste 5 years ago
This is the back side. They're built into a hill, and the other side just looks like a normal house.
Thomas E S Thomas 5 years ago
These were sold as starter homes in the 1960s and 1970s. Quite literally, it's just the basement of a 2 story home with a temporary roof on it. You were supposed to buy this at half the cost of a finished home, then later when you got the money, you were supposed to build the house on top of it.
Phunny Philosopher 5 years ago
Woah!!!! I can't imagine that marketing actually worked! It just seems absurd.
Load More Replies... Bill 5 years ago (edited)
Had the basement poured but added a roof instead of main floors. Happens when you run outta money
SaraFromHell with you all! 5 years ago
In Maine it's common. I know of several houses like that...we call them..I didn't realize building a small home in the u.s. will cost me a large fortune" houses.
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Melanie Feltmate 5 years ago
When I was a child (1970s) people sometimes built just the basement level of their homes, put a roof on it, and lived in it until they could afford to build the upper level(s). Maybe this is one that was never finished.
John Otruba 5 years ago
Someone started a house by building a live-in cellar-roofing it and living there until they had funds to frame the rest above ground. Quite common with young couples in 60s when I was growing up
SaraFromHell with you all! 5 years ago
Yeah think of the mold! Eek. French drains please!😵
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Bob Belcher 5 years ago
It's an in ground home. The earth acts as installation and keeps the house cool during the summer and warm during the winter. I've seen homes burried into hills just like LOTR.
#35
What Is This Scanner That A Rooftop Cop Had At A Protest? Seemed To Be Shining A Green Laser At Certain People In The Crowd
Answer: Picking out specific targets for ground police. It’s easier to track an individual through a crowd from above. This may be because they are armed, or something else that makes them high priority. Snipers are out of the question, firing into a fast moving mass of people would only end badly.
Ray Heap 5 years ago
A green laser shines at 530nm, this frequency will do the most damage to a human eye as your eyes are most sensitive to a wavelength of 530nm. Incidentally this is the wavelength that will penetrate the deepest underwater. A little evolutionary left over from our aquatic days perhaps?
Jon S. 5 years ago
More likely from our leafy tree dwelling days since other mammals have different colour sensitivities, I would have thought.
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Justine Nicole 5 years ago
I thought that said "that a robocop had at a protest" and for a second was like holy c**p it's happened
SaraFromHell with you all! 5 years ago
Glad to see safety measures are up..I just saw a movie about a true bombing. These guys would have saved many lives that day.
Soggy Crumpet 5 years ago (edited)
Wow. Just wow. Saying All cops are bad is similar to what Nazis said about Jews too.... Think about that.
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#36
These Lead Blocks Were Found In A UK River. 125g Each. Can Anyone Positively Identify Them?
Answer: These are jyotish tokens with the Rahu yantra to be used for a Rahu Ranga Mantra recital and practice. Likely for personal gain.
You are right that these are magic squares, but more specifically they are called Navagraha Yantras. There are traditionally 9 of them (one for each "planet"), each having a distinct combination of 9 numbers. Together they can be combined to form their own "Magic square".
The words on the bottom are some form of either:
- om raam rahave namah
- om raag rahave namah
- or simply, om rahave namah
The placement of Lead (raanga) in running water is particularly important in this practice as a remedy for specific things and astrological circumstances.
Curious about the cube form though. May have something to do with counting and keeping track of the number of times the mantra has been recited (supposed to be 18,000 over 40 days)
Miss Cris 5 years ago (edited)
Drinking water with lead can produce cancer if doing this often. Lead pipping are forbidden in Europe.
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago (edited)
No, it can lead to lead poisoning which causes symptoms like fatigue, headaches, constipation and loss of appetite. Lead waterpipes are the main reason why people get lead poisoning. https://www.medicinenet.com/lead_poisoning_symptoms_and_signs/symptoms.htm. It is true however that pollution can cause various types of cancer, and with the increasing level of pollution in water sources, people ingest more toxins each year with every glass of water they drink.
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Juan Alcorta 5 years ago
I´m actually scared of reading those words, might unchain some kind of evil spirit. 2020 everything is posible
#37
Found This Amongst Some Charms In A Vintange Jewelry Lot I Got. What Is This Thing?
Answer: It’s a Masonic Square and Compass! You’re supposed to spin it really fast and you can see it
The End Is Nyreezy 5 years ago
Cool! If you cross your eyes and look at it like a 3D picture, you can see the illusion!
#38
What Are These Brightly Coloured String-Like Things That Were Washed Up On An Australian Beach?
Answer: Sea hare eggs
Dianna Siever 5 years ago
I'm so glad you said, because I was imagining a sea rabbit.
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#39
Priority Mail Addressed To My Wife At Our Exact Address From Romania. Everything Is Written In Romanian And The Letters GT Is Written On It. We Dont Even Know Anyone Outside The United States. Syringe Is Empty
Answer: This is sort of like the way you would package mushroom spores. Golden teacher aka GT is a popular strain of psychedelics
CelSlade 5 years ago (edited)
I'm guessing that your wife's address has been sold on the internet (sites with your personal details get hacked and your address sold) and the people selling the drugs in the US used it as a dummy address to send it to. The idea being that someone in the post office who works for them would intercept the package before it actually reaches you. That way, if the package is randomly checked, you are the ones who get the nasty visit from customs.
SaraFromHell with you all! 5 years ago
Common in the u.s. actually. Pulls come this way..shipped to homes of those that work during the day. A criminal only has to get to know your routine. I know a guy in jail who did this s**t.
Load More Replies... Mme de Poppadom 5 years ago
Why not add "unleashing of psychotropic mystery spores" to the other plagues of 2020?
Phunny Philosopher 5 years ago
All hail the return of Anthrax. These are weeeird times we are living in...
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Martha Higgins 5 years ago
Seeds and spores are being sent to thousands of people in the U.S.from other countries. The advice is not to open them or plant them but send to your state's Department of Agriculture.
Sorina Bumbacea 5 years ago
Intrigued Romanian here... How does the text look like? Send pics and I'll help translate.
#40
Arrived In The Post For Me. Small Glass Tubes With 2 Tiny Ball Bearings In Them. No Idea And Not Something I’ve Ordered. What Is This Thing?
Answer: I believe those are rattles that you can put inside of fishing lures so they make noise to attract fish
Bunny Wood 5 years ago
Probably a brushing scam designed to increase positive reviews on Amazon
Sandy Murphey 5 years ago
Several years ago I received a box of 4 different CBD oils from a company, but no information inside, except each bottle was labeled with the strain. A gift? None of my friends knew about it. I sent it to my son who enjoyed it.
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Danny Ruiz 4 years ago
The closest I can think of is when I ordered mercury or other metals, they came in similar vials. Only a guess however.
#41
I've Had This For Like 15 Years. I Used To Use While Playing Soldier As A Kid. No Idea What It Is. It Looks As Though It May Be Something That Drops From An Aircraft. What Is This Thing?
Answer: You have a piece of Vietnam war history, these devices were used in operation Igloo White, this particular piece appears to be either a ADSID (Air Delivered Seismic Intrusion Detector) or a ACOUSID (Acoustic and Seismic Intrusion Detector). The camouflage paint left over is original, as the whole point of these devices was to listen and not be found by the enemy.
These did not contain explosives, so it's safe to keep.
Miss Cris 5 years ago (edited)
Good to know that it doesn't contain explosives... 15 years after!
M O'Connell 5 years ago
Given the era in question, I might be concerned about it containing mercuric oxide batteries that were common in military equipment prior to being phased out in the 1980s.
Load More Replies... Natasha Bettis 5 years ago
https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/195948/igloo-white/
#42
Found It In A River. What Is This Thing?
Answer: Colt Glass black powder flask/horn
#43
Cue Ball Attached To Pool Cue?
Answer: It's so little kids can play and not destroy the table (ie ripping the felt with the cue)
#44
What Is This Button On The Bottom Of The Door Of My Parents Apartment? Makes An Audible Click When It Closes, Can't Seem Work Out What It Does Though
Answer: Its a drop seal. When the door closes the button pushes a bar down to close the gap between the floor and the door. Its to protect against smoke during a fire while minimizing any friction to the operation of the door.
chi-wei shen 5 years ago
It's also to protect against sound coming through the small gap at the bottom because "air tight is sound tight".
#45
Purchased In Djibouti, Was Told Something About Ancient Sailing
Answer: it's an astrolabe
postboredom 5 years ago (edited)
the arabic writings (maybe) are completely visible and in clean condition
Alessandro Morgan 5 years ago
No its a (correct me if im wrong) navigation tool that uses the stars
Load More Replies... #46
This Thing Was In The Beach Near A Lighthouse, Asturias, Spain
Answer: Fog horns for when the lighthouse is occluded.
Kathryn Baylis 5 years ago
I grew up during the Cold War. My first thought was that it looks like Civil Defense sirens. However, those sirens are also used for other warnings (not just missile on the way/invasion force landing/get your a*s in your bunker NOW!), like hurricanes and such. Which makes sense—-it is at a beach, after all.
#47
What Is This? Was Labeled As A Xylophone? Bought For $9 At An Antique Store
Answer: Tongue drum
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
Take a look at https://www.hardwoodmusiccompany.com/. They even have a video of how it's played and what it sounds like.
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Torchicachu 5 years ago
wow my dad made one of these from a woodcrafting project book and in the book they called it a "bonker box"
M O'Connell 5 years ago
Holy heck! You got an excellent deal! If well-made these are thousands of dollars.
clive apps 5 years ago
It is a form of xylophone each wooden spike makes a different note. Probably worth a few 1000$ Here is link to similar https://www.weplaywelltogether.com/products/bass-wood-tongue-drum
#48
Found On A UK Beach. Some Part Of A Nasa Space Shuttle?
Answer: Due to the "8K" I'd guess would be it was an 8 Kilobit memory module. From the size of the chip and the vintage look probably quite slow static RAM.
Max L. 5 years ago (edited)
Well, not from the shuttle, but if it was found in a beach in uk chances are it float across the ocean and given the era size, was somewhat protected from corrosion. Given in the 80s there were available smaller chips for up to 16/32k, this must be from the 70s. If not from a shuttle certainly from something nasa built and went ashore.
#49
Cut Open My Ceiling To Repair Some Drywall And This Started Falling Out, Somewhat Squishy And There Was A Lot Of It. What Is This Thing?
Answer: This is a type of insulation called zonolite, it was used to insulate homes in America since the 1940’s and it DOES contain ASBESTOS
#50
I Received This In The Mail From Uzbekistan. I Have Never Ordered Anything From There Or China. Are These Truly From Bananas? Is This Part Of The Black Market?
Answer: This is called Brushing. It's a scam other countries run by sending out near worthless items so they can pad their store ratings/make it look like they have more orders than they do.
Uriel Grey 5 years ago
No they definitely aren't from a banana... I had a get grandma who wouldn't eat banana for fear of choking on the seeds... They are the tiny black specks you see not monsters like this.
Candace Fitzpatrick 5 years ago
This has been happening lately here in Canada according to the news the other day. Seeds coming in from China.
Stephanie Did It 5 years ago
This whole thing confused me. I actually DID order some seeds from Wish as a free gift with no shipping cost. Figured what the heck and asked for trumpet vine seeds. Lo and behold, here came a little packet from Kyrgyzstan, EXACTLY like all the others shown in the news, and no others have been delivered. Sooo, what have I got? Brush marketing scam or my actual Wish free gift? I'll have to plant them to find out.
#51
Reverse Swastica Neckless Tag. Found With Some Of My Great Uncles Things. He Was Born Around 1920 In Chicago. His Parents Were Born In Germany. Why Is This Reversed And Rotated?
Answer: Swastika were very popular in the US until around the start of WW2. They were a part of early American Indian culture, to some degree, and it was seen as a symbol for "long life" or "good luck." It's not uncommon to turn them up in multiple forms, usually made out of silver, or nickel. Given the period you state, I'd say this was a keep sake from a trip to the western US, and is probably made out of a silver amalgam.
Foxxy (The Original) 5 years ago
It is still a common symbol in some religions like Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism.
postboredom 5 years ago (edited)
you are absolutely right. I see it a lot in front of my friends houses during religious holidays
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Vuun 5 years ago
Symbol of the Finnish airforce to be precise. And yes, it does predate the nazis for those wondering.
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Kristin Ingersoll 5 years ago
Also, it's not backwards. The nasty nazis took this beautiful symbol and twisted it, both physically and in meaning. The nazis used it backwards. I'm kind of glad, honestly. At least it separates an ancient, beautiful symbol from one of hate.
Jon S. 5 years ago (edited)
The symbol has been used in both orientations since at least the bronze age. It is only since ww2 that people have paid particular attention to the direction of the spin.
Load More Replies... Signe Manat Hansen 5 years ago
The stone elephants in front of the Carlsberg building in Copenhagen has swastikas on them. The symbol existed before the Nazis appropriated it.
clive apps 5 years ago
The original swastika was a n ancient symbol meant to signify a good harvest. The German symbol was turned to signify a harvest of things that should not b.e
#52
This Strange Clearcut Sundown. Spotted In Denmark, One Minute Past Sundown. What's This Weather Phenomenon Called?
Answer: That could be the shadow from a vertical development cloud, such as a Cumulonimbus cloud. It can be thick enough to cast that kind of shadow!
#53
Found In The Woods Behind My House... Definitely Not A Real Gun, But I Haven't The Foggiest Of What It Might Be. Based On The Rust And The Fact That I've Lived Here For 22 Years, It Has To Be At Least 30+ Years Old... I'm Thinking Maybe Even 50+
Answer: Buck Rogers disintegrator
Charlotte Sandoval 5 years ago
Looks like the gun Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes would use as Spaceman Spiff Lol
clive apps 5 years ago
Approx 1930 toy, made sparks with drag wheel inside when trigger pulled.
La Petite Morte 5 years ago
Ooh, if you could clean it up and restore it out would look amazing!!
#54
Found In A Library Book. Tape Over Staples?
Answer: Electro-magnetic security tag. So you can't just take the book out without checking it out at the desk
Katchen 5 years ago
It could be so people don’t accidentally take the books without checking them out first. People forget.
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reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee 5 years ago
Oh I have a metal strip in my library book, thought it was used as the security tag. I have now found out that I am correct.
#55
Found This In My Tuna. What Is This Thing?
Answer: That's a tuna egg sack. Or at least part of one. Totally edible, but can't vouch for the taste.
Clau Ramirez 5 years ago
There . is . no . way . I . would . eat . tuna . again . if . I . find . this . Oh . my . God
#56
Some Sort Of Soft, Spongy Thing From The Ocean Found On The Beach
Answer: Pufferfish skeleton
*sigh*, The Yellow Teletubby 5 years ago
oh yay something my ignorant a*s could've answered !!
#57
I Found It While Biking A Trail, Smells God Awful And Is Making A Strange Buzzing Noise. What Is This Thing?
Answer: Mosquito trap - testing for west Nile.
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
It's the same myth as "snails and slugs don't touch plants when you put coffee grind around them". Or perhaps someone forget to inform the snails in my garden because they ate for over $150 on Hosta's. Even the one that were supposed to be "Snail proof". But a few pans filled with Budweiser killed them. So it turns out that Budweiser does have some use.
Load More Replies... #58
Found While Helping A Friend Clean Out A House. What Is This Thing?
Answer: Specifically it is a Wilesco Steam Engine
Richard Brown 5 years ago
It's in excellent condition! I have one. You can buy add-ons such as steam hammers, dynamos and fair ground rides. Loads of fun!
Marcellus the Third 5 years ago
Cannot see this picture without getting the smell of 'Zip' firelighter blocks used to run this... Bit strange question to ask the internet as the brand is even on it, and all the moving parts quite obvious.
clive apps 5 years ago
They will run on any flammable substance, wood, oil, soaked cotton,, alcohol soaked cloth, etc.. Some could put out about 1/10 th hp
Giles McArdell 5 years ago
Beautiful model in good condition by the looks. Love the Brick detailing!
#59
What Are These? Found On A Sidewalk, They’re Made Of Glass, No Lights Inside. Just An Arrow. What Is This Thing?
Answer: Skylights for the basement of the building they are in front of
Uriel Grey 5 years ago
In Seattle there are purple glass squares in the sidewalk for the same reason. The city is basically built on the equivalence of pudding. You don't want to be there in a earthquake! Basically they filled it with all kinds of stuff to raise the level and the roads where way higher than the walkways and entrances so they eventually covered the lower levels and put in skylights which were clear but over time turned purple. There is even a tour you can go on that goes over all this and you can walk below the streets on pioneer square. Worth a trip when things get more normal.
#60
This Is In The Middle Of A Cornfield. There’s A Sign Saying To Not Stop Within 400 Feet Of It, And It Was Making A Buzzing Sound. What Is This Thing?
Answer: It’s a VOR - Very-high frequency, omnidirectional range navigation station for aircraft
M O'Connell 5 years ago
The warning not to stop is due to interference it might create with the electronic ignition system in your vehicle. Vehicles with inadequate or damaged RFI shielding can stall out and not be re-started until moved away from the transmitter.
clive apps 5 years ago
High power radio locator beacon, the 400 ft warning is because it will cook you if you spend too much time near ir.
#61
Found At A Beach. It's Empty And Lightweight But Quite Solid. It Got A Hole At Each Side. What Is This Thing?
Answer: It’s a bead, probably from Indian jewelry. I own some and this looks similar.
#62
These Pictures Were Taken Near My Hometown Yesterday. I’ve Never Seen A Little Halo Above A Cloud Like This. What Is This Thing?
Answer: It’s a pileus cloud illuminated from behind.
#63
Red Gem-Like Thing That Glows When Switched On. Apartment Built In 1948
Answer: It is an indicator lamp. It simply provides a very noticeable indicator that the switch is turned on. Usually used for switches that control something that is out of view, like an outdoor or basement light or possibly a furnace.
Kathryn Baylis 5 years ago
This should come back into use. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve forgotten I left the basement light on.
Pheebs 5 years ago
You can buy different flat style switches with light indicators built in now. We have a bunch of them in our house - most of which are smart switches we integrated with our phones. I love these as the ones we have by the front door let us know the garage carriage lights are on.
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Mme de Poppadom 5 years ago
Oh goody: my 90-year-old office has these installed over huge, old-timey industrial doors. I thought it was HAL from "2001, A Space Odyssey".
#64
Found This Sewn Into The Hem Of A Pillowcase In A Hotel. What Is This Thing?
Answer: Probably RFID for identifying the owner at the industrial laundry place.
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
Conspiracy theorists: It's a device to brainwash you when you're sleeping so the government can take over your mind.
#65
Found This In Grandpas Box Of Old Things. Might Be From Asia Because Of The 3rd Eye? Any Ideas?
Answer: This was part of a set of premiums for malted milk. Very cool but not very exotic.
#66
Old Medal Found While Digging In A Garden At A Farm In Eastern Iowa. Wondering About Origin, Age, And Significance
Answer: Jefferson Napoleon Jugate Cloisonné 1904 worlds fair medallion pinback badge pin
#67
Midwest House Built In Early 1900s Has A Thing On The Wall, What Is This Thing?
Answer: This is the century old equivalent to your circuit breaker panel. The two sockets on top are for screw fuses and the thing on the bottom is a knife switch like you'd see in the Frankenstein movies. The knife switch is missing it's handle which would be bolted to where the hole is in the throw arm. This is a 2 pole fused disconnect and was likely used for some large appliance like an electric stove or heater or something
#68
I Inherited This From My Grandpa. It Probably Belonged To My Great Grandpa. What Are The Tools Used For? Drawing? It Came With A Vintage How To Sketch Book
Answer: Vintage drafting kit
M O'Connell 5 years ago
That didn't mean the two items were related, they had just been together for a long time.
Load More Replies... #69
A Weird Door I Saw In The Sea Wall In Biarritz, France
Answer: it is a gate for storm water runoff that drains into the ocean
#70
Flew Through My Windshield On The Freeway
Answer: it's a swing lock from a roll off dumpster door.
Candace Fitzpatrick 5 years ago
You are lucky to be alive! I really hope you were compensated.... my gosh, that’s traumatic!
Patrick O'Harris 5 years ago
People throwing stuff from bridges at cars should be thrown down a bridge themself.
Wonderful 5 years ago
I had a cousin that almost died from that. Some teenage girls were throwing bricks off the overpass and hit her car with 2 of them. One hit the hood and the other went through the windshield and smashed the dash so bad it kinda exploded in parts. When she got hit she brakes but a truck following closely slammed into her and drove her into the concrete pillar of the overpass. She almost had hod have her arm and shoulder amputated cause she had her window open with her arm hanging out. The girls ended up being tried as adults and were sentenced to quite a few years. This was 25-30 years ago and my cousin still has medical issues from it. Don’t throw s**t off overpasses. Don’t hang your arm out the car window. And most importantly, don’t throw s**t off overpasses.
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#71
What Kinds Of Fossils Are These? Found In The 60s On A Farm In Texas
Answer: Crinoids
ThatOnePerson 5 years ago
I have some of these! The top part inspired Xenomorphs I believe, and some other things too. z8vj8xdpmch41.jpg 
John Laurens/Gay Turtle 5 years ago
I may just be dumb, but I'm still not sure what those are...?
#72
Pulled This Out Of My Shoe, Sierra Foothills Tulare Co.
Answer: Looks like a cactus barb to me, see a lot of those in Arizona. I call them zip tie cacti but I believe it's called a fishhook barrel cactus.
Tiffany Marie 5 years ago (edited)
I hate cactus and scorpions also goat heads.. Brown dry desert and heat. What is it with being surrounded by cactus yet everyone needs to grow it in their yards? Also my Grandma would cook it a lot too for dinner. Roses looked nice in yards and did well. Plant more roses. When I was 5 years old I saw my best friend the same age fall into a giant cactus, she was covered.. 😣 so scary!
La Petite Morte 5 years ago
Ooh, I HATE goat head prickers. Grew up in NM. Was 4/5, playing with friends in an empty lot, had taken off my shoes (stupid, I know). Mom called me for lunch, so I ran directly towards the house from the lot. Made it a few feet into a patch of weeds and had to stop from the pain. Mom heard me screaming and came over to pick me up. She said I had so many goats heads stuck to the bottom of my feet it looked like I was wearing sandals. Had to go to the hospital to get them all removed. The barbs have little reverse hooks on them that make it really hard to pull them out cleanly. I couldn't walk for weeks until the skin grew back. I'm still very twitchy about people touching my feet.
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#73
What Is This X-Shape On The Wall, Often Seen Around Old Farms/Barns/Stables?
Answer: It’s the anchor plate of a “tie” - a big steel rod that stops the walls from bowing outward. Often added to older buildings to help keep them together.
Steve Barnett 5 years ago
Not an uncommon sight in old buildings in the UK. Did puzzle me for years as well.
Cyd Charisse 5 years ago
In old buildings in the US (usually pre-civil war era), you'll see one as a wrought-iron elongated "S". There was one on each side of a house, with a threaded iron bar between that could be screwed and adjusted for house settling.
#74
This Bundle Of White And Purple Bulbs Emerged From Underground In My Garden In Denver Today. The Bulbs Are 2-4 Inches Each In Size And Oozing A Thick Glossy Liquid
Answer: stinkhorn fungi
#75
I Was Cutting My Watermelon And Was Confused When I Saw These Hard Stems In It, Does Anyone Know What It Is?
Answer: That happens when it is stressed during growing. Likely due to drought, the fruit got messed up inside. It’s technically edible, but likely doesn’t taste very good
#76
My Dentist Gave This To Me After A Checkup. How Do I Use... Whatever This Is?
Answer: You put it on the end of your toothpaste tube and slowly move it up the tube to squeeze the toothpaste out.
your_lesbian_friend 5 years ago
These things are great! I have one for every tube of toothpaste in my house.
François Carré 5 years ago
The dentist handed this to me and just said "now try and get used to smiling like this". Back then, duckface was so trendy you know.
#77
Are My Parents Neighbours Engaging In Psychological Warfare? This Is Attached To A Dolly Pointed In Their Yard And Sounds A Very Loud Alarm Twice A Day For 10 Minutes. What Is It?
Answer: Looks to be a vibrating horn (maybe 874 series) made by Edwards signaling. Data sheet states an output of 103dB. These type of horns are usually used in an individual setting where ambient noise is high.
I would guess the neighbor has hooked it up to cause a disturbance or just to be a general nuisance.
Kathryn Baylis 5 years ago
So yeah, you nailed it. Neighbors engaged in psychological warfare.
#78
Found In My Fiance's Backyard, It's Sitting There Since The 90's
Answer: looks like an aircraft drop tank. If so, it's inert and harmless except for whatever creepy-crawlies might have taken up residence inside. It doesn't look like any of the common NATO or Soviet free-fall aerial bombs, on account of the "fins" being so small.
Alexandru Bucur 5 years ago
More specifically, it's a Mig 21 drop tank. That shape is unmistakable.
#79
Goat In A Field In Scotland, Appears To Have Had Handlebars Added To His Horns?
Answer: To prevent the goat get stuck in the fence, probably wire fence
Scagsy 5 years ago
I know it's supposed to aid the goat but I can't help feeling a little sad for it all the same
JessG 5 years ago
I'd feel worse for the goat when it's stuck in the fence
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Kathryn Baylis 5 years ago
I think it’s also to keep people and other animals from getting hurt—usually put on goats with a reputation for butting a lot.
#80
What Are These Shallow Holes With Webs In My Garden? A Bunch Of Them Showed Up This Morning
Answer: a grass spider nest
#81
I Keep Seeing This Little Box On Many Different Cars In My Neighborhood. It Looks Like Some Sort Of Lock Box?
Answer: Turo business -- it's like AirBnB, but for cars.
#82
Seen Hanging Behind The Bar At A Pub In Australia (Nt). What Is This Thing?
Answer: Its a game that a lot of pubs play. They sell raffle tickets and if you win you get to turn over one of the cards. If you get the preselected card (usually a joker) you win a prize. My local used to put on 4 slabs of beer or similar for the winner. Only 1 person would get a chance to turn a card on Friday and Saturday arvos though
Tiny Dynamine 5 years ago
I wonder if anyone not familiar with the term 'arvos' can guess what it means. (Don't give it away if you know.)
#83
Right In The Center Of My Bedroom’s Floor, Which Is A Converted Dining Room In A 1920s Apartment. Also Directly Below The Light Fixture. What Is This Thing?
Answer: It's whats left of an old servants or dinner bell. Someone in the past disassembled the top part to lay the carpet.
Rachel Ashwell 5 years ago
I have one of these and it still works. Unfortunately no servants show up.
#84
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)
lara 5 years ago
No, put it in a bowl of water. It will open and turn green. It is beautiful. You can also take it out of the water and it will return to this state.
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Katrijn Vermeiren 5 years ago
I was gifted one of these when I was pregnant. The story goes that when you water it, it opens up and how long it takes to close up again is how long the labour would last.
Sue Prewitt 5 years ago
Put it in a shallow bowl of water and watch. It may take a little while
Anony Mouse 5 years ago
Brushing - it's a very common thing to get seeds or bulbs with brushing scams. DO NOT PLANT IT.
Monika Rhodes 5 years ago
You're not supposed to plant it anyway. Just put it in bowl of water indoors.
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Uriel Grey 5 years ago
It in water and in no time it's green. Then let it dry out put it in a jar and somewhere and wait a few years to do it again. It's lives in a crazy dry area so going green and all lively is actually super super stressful if done to often. Where they come from some times it rains only 1 time over several years. Cool find!
Mme de Poppadom 5 years ago
Why not release an invasive species or some other kind of plant blight to the plagues of 2020?
#85
What Is This? It’s Magnetic, The Little Magnets Inside Are All Being Forced Together Against Their Natural Magnetic Pull. I Found It At Goodwill. I’m Baffled
Answer: an anti-theft tag remover
Kisses4Katie 5 years ago
Walmart doesn't tag their $7 shirts- ya gotta go to JC penny if they're still around :)
Load More Replies... #86
Some Kind Of Metal Faucet Looking Device In The Bathroom Of A Union Hall In Lewiston, Id. What Is This Thing?
Answer: It's an old ashtray.
Push the button for it to empty to the container below it.
Cathy Coyer 5 years ago
lol even I knew that one. Hard to imagine a time when anyone could smoke inside a building
#87
Bunch Of Wooden Spikes, No Numbers Or Word Of Them?
Answer: They're splicing fids for splicing ropes together. You drive the spike between the strands of the rope so you can fit a strand of a different rope through.
Source: used them both on tallships and bell ringing for that exact purpose.
#88
Found This In My Checked Luggage After A Flight. Have No Idea What It Is And I’m Assuming It Was Left In There By Tsa?
Answer: Used for wiping detection swabs over luggage or hands to detect for bombs. airport security put a swab in the end, rub it over the luggage and then scan it.
Nevits Yibble 5 years ago
Whatever the cat thinks it is, it wants it and is about to launch an assault.
#89
Found This On A Decaying Stump. It’s Soft And Almost Looks Like There Are Orange Eggs Inside It
Answer: Looks like slime mold. I wonder if you look at it in a few days if it will look different. Slime molds go through stages. The orange eggs may be spores
#90
Weird Metal Worm Squiggle, Found In The Kitchen. What Is This Thing?!
Answer: a metal bookmark
Jamie Andersen 5 years ago
Isn't that the character in German for the running 's' like in "snake". Also with a little snake on it!
#92
My Friends Grandfather Has Been Using These For Years As Doorstops, He Thinks They May Be Grenades Of Some Sort But Can't Work Anything Out From The Engraving
Answer: Artillery expert here.
That is a 40x304mmR practice flatheaded shot (solid projectile) from the WW2 era British QF 2-pdr No.2 anti-tank gun.
Since it's a solid shot it's not an UXO and it should have a small hole in the base for the tracer, now, hopefully, empty. Yours has also been fired, as evidenced by the imprinted rotating band.
François Carré 5 years ago
They've been fired but didn't remain unemployed after that since grandpa used them.
#93
Found In A Newly Empty House, I Found What Looks Like A Really Strange Bed But Is Maybe Not. What Is This?
Answer: I can picture it with plants, candles in the holders, and a futon-type mattress or floor cushion to sit on and meditate. A friend of mine had a similar space for meditating, minus the platform thingy.
#94
Found This Thing On The Street ~2 Years Ago. The Red Light Was Glowing Brightly For About Five Days And Then Dimly For Almost Three Weeks Before Fully Going Out. Looks Like It's Been Run Over A Couple Times Too
Answer: This is a bike backlight.
#95
Witt Found In A Walmart’s Men’s Restroom?
Answer: 100% a diaper dispenser. At the walmart in my town we have these in the mens bathroom with a changing table (as all businesses should)
Charlotte Sandoval 5 years ago
Just because there's a place to wash hands doesn't mean they do 🤢
Load More Replies... #96
Found This In An Old Crumbled House, But I Have No Clue As To What It May Be! Its From A Compagny Called « Rally »... Help Me On This Mission!
Answer: The device is being described as a "razor hone", i.e., something for sharpening single-edge razor blades. That is not correct. It is a "Rally Dry Shaver" as you will see if you google that phrase. It's sort of like a lawn mower for the face. You shave by rolling that toothed cylinder over your face. It must not have worked very well or they would have become more widely known.
#97
Paint Simunition Shot At Us During A Protest
Answer: Looks like an FN303 paint round. The granules are bismuth; they're non-toxic. You could keep it
#98
Metal Pliers Found While Cleaning Shed. Can't Determine What This Took Is Used For. What Is This Thing?
Answer: I’ve never seen one quite like that but it’s pretty cool and could be for fishing.
Beyond the obvious pliers and bottle opened, the spikey saw-like part could be a fish scaler. The pointed bit in the middle could mash lead sinkers onto fishing line
Edit: it is for fishing
Bill Ames 5 years ago
The "bottle opener" on the right side is more likely a can opener, if the tip and edge are sharp. You could work your way all the way around the can pretty fast once you practiced a little. A bottle opener would be wide and flat at the top to resist puncturing the bottle cap.
#99
What The Heck Is This Jelly Like Object From Ainsdale Beach, North West UK?!
Answer: Squid eggs
Not Proud British 5 years ago
It's in Southport, which is in Merseyside, which is in the north-west. If you don't believe me then go to Southport and try telling them they are from the south, see what response you get. (Edit: I'm from Manchester which is also in the north-west.)
Load More Replies... #100
I Found This In A Dirt Basement Of An Old House I Was Cleaning Out. What Is This Thing Used For ?
Answer: you are the proud owner of some lamp/lighting chain.
#101
Several Roles Of This Were Donated To A Thrift Store I Volunteer At. It Doesn't Have Any Adhesive And Is Kinda Waxy Feeling
Answer: They are thorn guard strips, meant to be mounted inside bicycle tires, between inside of the tire casing and the innertube
#102
This Was Found In An Area Of Colorado With A Rich History Of Mining. It Was In The Vicinity Of Other Random Abandoned Mine Equipment And I Don't Know What It Is Or What It Would Have Been Used For
Answer: this is a boiler. Specifically, this is the “pinned tube”-type heat exchanger component
#103
Can Be Used For Wood Working, Been In My Family Garage For Years. Is It A Type Of Nut? Or Something More Profound?
Answer: banksia pod
Bron 5 years ago
Banksia Man from Cuddlepot and Snugglepie ;). May Gibbs. The Banksia Men were the baddies in her stories.
SoozeeQ 5 years ago
Yes! This was my first thought too. The Big, Bad Banksia Men!
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Nicole Holt 5 years ago
I had to google it: Banksia pods originate from southwestern Australia. They grow on trees from the Banksia genus. ... These pods are commonly compared to pine cones, though Banksia trees are not conifers and aren't related to pine trees (Pinus genus)—the seed pod itself is considered the fruit of the tree. Banksia Pod | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwood)
#104
Metal Two Level Platform, Found Near Road Construction. What Is This Thing?
Answer: Keeps the walls from caving when they go lower than a certain depth to do work on a water main. I think 5 feet. It goes in rotated 90 degrees so it acts like a spacer for the hole they temporarily excavate.
I think. Looks a lot like the ones I saw in pictures when I took my 400 level water bureau class
#105
Help! Neighbor’s Kid Was Almost Impaled By Something That Kicked Up On The Road While Riding Passenger. About 2.5’-3’ In Length With A Small Rotational Piece At The Bottom You Can See. What Is This Thing?
Answer: It’s a spike for advertisement flags. The feather shaped ones that are on the verge at the side of the road. I think anyway. The flag pole should slide over the chunky end that sits at the end
Kisses4Katie 5 years ago
If this can happen, maybe we shouldn't have advertising flags on the side of the road?!? The whole reason we have those and sign spinners is so the advertiser can get around laws that allow for commercial advertisement space- typically not right by the road or on a corner. It's a way companies cheat, and I don't like it. Seeing how dangerous this could have been just kind of set me off. Call an ambulance chaser lawyer for this one.
#106
Got This As A Prize In A Christmas Cracker With No Instructions, Just A Few Sharp Hooks?
Answer: It's a needle threader
Nicola Montague 5 years ago
I was super happy when a friend gave me one as I do embroidery 🤷♀️
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Found In The Bathroom, Open And Close Sort Of Like Tweezers But Not Much Grip
Answer: Tongue scraper.
Liam Walsh 5 years ago
Scrape the flat metal part in the middle along your tongue.
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#108
Found On The Shoreline Of A Beach In The Scottish Isles. They Were Scattered, Not In One Area. Feel Like Glass, One Clear And The Rest Black. The One That Has A Line Has Equal Lines All The Way Around
Answer: Pretty sure the black ones are carbon rods from batteries. They are a quite common find while beachcombing.
#109
Apartment Hunting And These Rails Are All Over. What Are They For?
Answer: I've seen them before in apartments and was told they are some type of stabilizer for earthquakes, especially in old brick buildings
M O'Connell 5 years ago
Buildings typically have two load-bearing walls that the floor joists are attached to, and two curtain walls that are just for show. These straps bolt into the floor joists (which are perpendicular to the straps), and connect to the outside of the curtain wall. Take a look at pictures of earthquake damage, and you'll see buildings which are standing but one wall has completely fallen off. This is designed to prevent that from happening.
Load More Replies... #110
I Started To Peel And Separate This Orange Into Segments When I Found This Inside. Its Ridges Were Growing Between The Orange Segments Where Pith Would Normally Be. What Is It?
Answer: Sometimes navel oranges can have a second orange growing inside the first one. This looks to be what happened here but the second orange died and began to decompose.
Foxxy (The Original) 5 years ago (edited)
I am glad it is that and not a mutant worm or caterpillar. Either way that wouldn't get eaten.
#111
What Is This Thing My Mom Found, It's About 15 Inches Long And Has Wood, Embroidery Floss, Wire And Maybe Grass And Seems Vintage
Answer: Looks similar to a Burmese Buddha fan
#112
Dog With Little Bundles Of Paper(?) In It’s Fur
Answer: The ends of its very long silky coat are wrapped and protected by those. Often seen in very long coated show dogs when they are out of the show ring and the hair needs to be out if the way, kept tangle-free and clean.
Veronica Vatter 5 years ago
In the 1700s they were call papillote. It was wrapping hair in paper and pressing it with hot tongs
#113
Found In Old Shed, Is It What It Looks Like? Inside Is Empty
Answer: Looks like a mortar round. Maybe not an active one since it's all shiny
Torchicachu 5 years ago
well i mean it hasnt blown up yet.. so its intact and shiny? idk
Load More Replies... Marcellus the Third 5 years ago
Well if if wasn't empty when they checked, they wouldn't have been able to ask this question...
#114
Brass Object, Has A Screw That Slides Up The Side And Pushes A Wire Out The Top??? We're Stumped
Answer: It is for cleaning out a breech plug in a blackpowder muzzleloader
#115
My Boyfriend Found This In His Backyard. It Appears To Be A Medal Of Some Sort? Theres Nothing On The Back Of It
Answer: Definitely a hub cap for a carriage wheel. The flange is at the surface of the hub and the decorated area is pressed back in.
Probably fell off a carriage at some point and no one noticed.
Edit: it would have been on the end of the axle/hub to prevent grease from leaking out onto the wheel.
2nd edit: it also may have been purely decorative if the wheel was solidly fixed to the axle.
#116
Found This Thing On The Beach. Its Solid And Smells Like Seaweed, What Is It?
Answer: Codium bursa is a green marine algae of medium size.
#117
On December I Took A Trip To Meet My Family In Guerrero, Mexico. My Grandmas Boyfriend Talked About Finding These #146 While Out For Walks In Water Streams. He Has Collected Them Over The Years. What Is It?
Answer: The round ones are spindle whorls or malacates, used for making thread.
The other ones are fragments of figurines. Looks like they were molded. Typology might give you a date if you have an expert look at them. Two of them are anthropomorphic (they represent faces), the third (the one in the upper right corner) could be zoomorphic, although it may also just be an abstract decoration on a broken support of a vessel.
La Petite Morte 5 years ago
Ooh, antique spindles! Very jealous. Looks like two top whorl spindles and one bottom whorl spindle.
Mme de Poppadom 5 years ago
Then I guess you'd agree the finder should give consulting an expert a whorl.
Load More Replies... #118
My Grandma Found This Weird Ceramic Dog In Her Yard
Answer: It’s a liquor or sake dispenser. Missing the tiny cups or shot glasses that hang from the spikes on its back. Here is another example.
#119
Witt: Fixed Binoculars I Picked Up From A Garage Sale
Answer: These are likely for the theatre. Seats near the back of the auditorium i.e. further away from the stage have these in a coin-operated holder fixed to the seat in front
Mme de Poppadom 5 years ago
Some theatergoers in the cheap seats decided to stick it to The Man.
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
Vintage Fixed Focus Theater Opera Binoculars Property Of UADC Ltd London England https://www.savacoolandsons.com/item-27316.html
#120
Odd Yellow Liquid Filled Balls Found Inside Of Cigarettes, Definitely Not Menthols, Cannot Break Them With Your Fingers. Found In The Tobacco, Not The Filter. Found In A Pack Of Number 7 Specials. Anyone Know What This Could Be?
Answer: Ion-exchange resin beads for filtering out bad stuff, like cyanide, in the smoke
#121
Found This Out In The Woods
Answer: It is a steam boiler. Maybe from a train engine, or more likely, maybe from a building used for heat or some kind of power for mining operation.
#122
An Unknown Rocket-Like Object Is Being Transported By A Barge Along The Don River, Russia
Unswer: I think that's a distillation column for refining something like crude oil
#123
Weird Luminescent Red Thing On The Beach In A Lightning Storm
Answer: it’s a kite string with LEDs attached to it. The guy uses red LEDs so as to not interfere with the turtles. I wasn’t able to see the kite originally since the winds had it out of my view (today I saw the light up kite at the end too). The fact it was flying during a lightning storm was not relevant
François Carré 5 years ago
The Force can also make you invisible apparently.
Load More Replies... #124
Miniature Christmas Ornaments Made Of Pewter
Answer: charm bracelet charms
#125
What Is This. Found In A Floor In Central Texas
Answer: Its used to tension chains and connect two together, its combined with a handle sort of thing that you push up and down to put more tension on the chain, we use them on the farm but in a smaller scale, wish i could give you an exact name
Srene 5 years ago
Former Texan here...I'm not 100% certain, but I THINK these are used on oil rigs...
Mme de Poppadom 5 years ago
That's what they said, a farm... don't Texans harvest oil on their land? ;-)
Load More Replies... #126
Was Always Weirded Out By This Statue. Found In A House With Other Goat Statues Throughout
Answer: Looks like art by Frank Fleming. Google "birmingham al 5 points south fountain statue"
Or google "frank fleming statues"
#127
Witt In A Lake In Ohio? Drains Into A Big Pipe At The Bottom Of A Hill
Answer: That’s the overflow control mechanism so the lakes waters don’t get too high, it’s called a glory hole ( for real) Edit- apparently that’s just the name for a specific one in Cali, so I’m not sure what their actual name is
Upstaged75 2 years ago
Please don't google glory hole! Unless you are really looking to watch some porn. ;)
#128
Medal Found In My Nana's Belongings. Written On The Back Is "The Great War For Civilisation"
Answer: The Victory Medal
Marcellus the Third 5 years ago
Just typing "medal great war civilisation" and google floods you with prices, images, articles... I don't get why people ask these questions; going to ask and waiting takes so much more time and effort?
Jon S. 5 years ago
Most entries on this post are not quite so readily discoverable, but this one is obvious. I suspect some people like having a little social interaction as much as finding their answer.
Load More Replies... #129
Many Of These Washed Up On A Beach In Destin, FL USA. They Are Squishy
Answer: Sea cucumber
Davor Jelacic 5 years ago
Fun fact, place them in brine and you get sea pickles.... Nothing? Wow... Tough crowd
Marcellus the Third 5 years ago
OK, how about, "in Italian, they are called Sea Poos" for their normal (brown) appearance?
Load More Replies... #130
Found On A Beach In Iceland. It's Very Heavy (Ca 80kgs) And The Inside Seems To Be Made Of Copper Trapped In Cast Iron
Answer: So I can't tell you exactly what it is but it looks like a large valve through which liquid or gas would flow. My guess is industrial-size liquid valve since copper is/was used for those types of applications. Maybe off an old freighter ship or from a factory or mechanical substation or pipeline near the water?
#131
My Late Grandfather Was A Hungarian Politician In The Communist Era. Do You Have Any Information About These Pins?
Answer: Top two are 1980 olympics pins. Lower left says Odessa and lower right says 1919 which looks like some Soviet anniversary pin but it’s after the inception of the communist party and before the Soviet Union formed
Friedemann P 5 years ago
"30 DDR" is a pin from 1979 for the 30th anniversary of the German Democratic Republic (1949-1990)
Robert Bailey 5 years ago
The one that says ZENLAM is the Korean peninsula with the star over Pyongyang.
Ben Stubbs 5 years ago
Looks to me they're most likely souvenir pins. Some are Soviet, some East German. There's 1980 Olympics and a number celebrating engineering, space programme (and a launch from Korea?). Unfortunately, I don't think there's any monetary value (mass produced with poor quality metals). However, an interesting piece of modern history, also in great condition x
#132
Swiss Autobahn Retaining Wall Has Square Protrusions And Panels That Look Like They Can Be Opened
Answer: The squares are structural reinforcing members that anchor the panels into the earth behind. They help shore up the wall and resist moment forces from the soil from toppling the retaining wall. There are also some through drains too I’m sure, just not the main square things.
#133
My Mil Has Had This Thing For Years And No One In The Family Can Figure Out What It Is. Looks Like It Was Mounted On The Wall Or Something At One Point. Any Ideas?
Answer: It’s an old bee keeping tool according to google “Bees Parker's Foundation Fastener - Wooden Beekeeping tool Circa 1800's”
Mme de Poppadom 5 years ago
I thought it was for smacking _yourself_ while yelling "Get it off me! Get it off me!"
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#134
Found At A Scrapyard From A Building Demolition. Slightly Radioactive
Answer: It's a jack shaft on a 90 degree arm. The hinged flat pieces are likely mounting and stabilizing points for attachment to the rest of the machine. It's chain driven and probably used as a link point for a conveyor belt.
Jon S. 5 years ago
There was a scandal a while back where radioactive equipment was sent to ordinary recycling and subsequently all the items made from that batch are radioactive. The accident wasn't discovered for a long time and there was no way to trace all the affected items produced. I'm not saying that's what happened in this case, but it is one possibility.
Load More Replies... #135
Found On Google Maps In The Yukon/Delta Region In Alaska, Went Back To Look For It Agaun After Screen Shot But Couldn't Find Anything. What Is It?
Answer: Remnants of an old radio array. Located just east of Tok, Alaska
Mme de Poppadom 5 years ago
Are we all missing the bigger picture that the questioner couldn't find this again when they went back to look for it? PROOF IT'S AN ALIEN COVERUP.
#136
Bought Decades Ago, Never Truly Known What It Is Or Its True Purpose
Answer: Dieesl Horst Kompensator
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
More precisely Diesselhorst Kompensator. It's some kind of very accurate resistance measuring device for currents of 1 Volt DC and less. At least that's what I got out of the German documentation...
J. Zingler 5 years ago
In other words, 1940ies multimeter to measure tiny amounts of electricty, like Ohms and Volts.
Mme de Poppadom 5 years ago
So people during WWII could count how many times they were asked "Ohm Gott, volts für ist diesel Ding!?"
Load More Replies... #137
What Is This Metal Lump? Shines Very Bright Under Light. Almost Blinding To Look At. Weight: 264 Grams And M 12 Etched On The Side
Answer: Looks like the top of a silicon boule
M O'Connell 5 years ago
This is the leftover "tip" from a silicon boule which is a giant single crystal of silicon used in creating microchips. It's sliced into wafers like a giant bologna, which then have the circuitry etched onto them. The "M12" indicates that the raw boule was 210mm in diameter (square-within a circle).
Load More Replies... #138
1 Through 300 Metal Tags Found In An Old (1920s)ice Box. The Copper Wires Are There Just To Hold The Whole Stack Together
Answer: They look like locker numbers
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
"All-Steel Equipment Company Aurora Illinois" and "found in an old ice box" doesn't give you enough clues to search and discover that these tags were used for refrigerated food lockers
#139
Saw This On The Side Of A Truck While Driving. Was Not Able To Get Close Enough To Read What Is Says. Yellow Box Hanging By Suction Cup With Wire To Back Of Box. Two Blinking Red Lights On It As Well
Answer: Retroreflectometer
Cats 5 years ago
“... used throughout the world for measuring retroreflection from road markings and road signs with the main purpose of improving driving safety.”
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Kisses4Katie 5 years ago
Retro as in old reflecto as in mirror and meter as in measure Lol I have no idea I was just going for a ChubbyEmu medical video vibe
#140
Cylinder With Hole With Wire Brush Metal Inside. Witt?
Answer: Car battery terminal cleaner
Jackson Gohn 5 years ago
Incorrect. This is a two-sided plumber's tool known as a rougher. It's used for cleaning and removing debris and corroded metal from the ends of copper plumbing pipes before adding flux for soldering.
trinity davis 5 years ago
Are you sure it’s not a similar tool you’re thinking of? A search for car battery terminal cleaner brings up images that look incredibly similar to the above one
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Dolly_of TheCowboy 5 years ago
Weird, wild fleshlight for those that like to really like to commit to an activity ;)
#141
Heavy Mass Hanging On Transmission Cables
Answer: This is an art intervention in a brazilian university. This thing should be a meteor.
trinity davis 5 years ago
I don’t think it’s supposed to truly be a meteor, just art that resembles one
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Weird Gadget In Epoxy With Suction Cup Hidden In Tiny Fake Book. My Boyfriend Doesn’t Remember Where It Came From. Does Anybody Recognize This?
Answer: Nissin Synchro-Eye Slave unit
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What do you think ?
Chich 5 years ago
I find it amusing when people give correct but unhelpful answers and then get all snotty when people still have no clue what it is. As if its obvious what a left handed veeblefetzer is.
Catlady6000 5 years ago
I cat believe you don't know a left handed veeblefetzer. You insert into the right handed fieblemitz when you rotate the shinglepertz. Obviously
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Catlady6000 5 years ago
I love these posts. I especially enjoy further research on some of them
Chich 5 years ago
I find it amusing when people give correct but unhelpful answers and then get all snotty when people still have no clue what it is. As if its obvious what a left handed veeblefetzer is.
Catlady6000 5 years ago
I cat believe you don't know a left handed veeblefetzer. You insert into the right handed fieblemitz when you rotate the shinglepertz. Obviously
Load More Replies... Catlady6000 5 years ago
I love these posts. I especially enjoy further research on some of them
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