30 Times People Had No Idea What They're Looking At And Got Help From This Online Community (New Pics)
Turns out that there's a whole online community of internet detectives that's entirely dedicated to helping people identify all sorts of weird things.
Have you ever come across items at your grandparents' house or an antique store that left you completely baffled? Well, your days of guessing are finally over, because there's a whole online community of internet detectives that's entirely dedicated to helping people identify all sorts of weird things.
With over 1.8 million users, the r/WhatIsThisThing/ can help you identify even the most bizarre and specific things you manage to get your hands on. From strange encrypted books to antique bread warmers, check out all the times Reddit detectives helped people identify strange things in the gallery below! And if you want more, see our previous posts here and here.
Image source: FFiresticks
Answer: Toy plates for a dollhouse.
Image source: reddit.com
Answer: this person is probably a carthieve scanning for keyless car keys. . never leave them near windows and doors
Image source: theokcorral
Answer: for leaving change for postal worker to add postage. USPS delivery people are required to have stamps and you don't even need to catch them to buy some. If you have a piece of mail without postage you can put it in your mailbox with cash and the carrier will bring back change (if needed) the next day.
Image source: reddit.com
Answer: Fossil snail casting
Image source: reddit.com
Answer: It is for wine. Ice goes in the little side container to keep it cold.
Image source: lolliven
Answer: Grow lights inside massive greenhouses just east of Kingsville.
Image source: reddit.com
Answer: Knife rests
Image source: ItsaMeRobert
Answer: This is mostly likely thousands of years old - a Pre-Columbian artifact.
You should take it to a university or museum for analysis.
DO NOT polish it or clean it.
Image source: aceastrojet
Answer: they make one tine wider for cutting stuff, but the wider one wouldn’t stab as well as the others, so the gave it a clipped point.
Image source: Boxerorbag
Answer: fire retardant reacting with the environment. This white powder is not harmful nor is it mold. We have had a few cases and have found it is the fire retardant interacting with the environment. In most instances all that is needed to correct this is a damp cloth, but in the case the white spots do come back we have a tech come out and replace the back cabinet.
Image source: reddit.com
Answer: orchidometer. Used for sizing testicles.
Image source: Enginerdad
Answer: Manufacturers are providing a lot more pieces that are accessible to children with limited mobility. While this may seem less interesting at first glance, imagine the benefits to children who’ve never been able to climb up to a slide or fire pole.
Image source: Orphan-Slayer
Answer: It appears to be an old broken drain, or more likely, a cleanout with a broken cover. That needs to be capped ASAP. Sewer gasses are a noxious health hazard. Note, tape and plastic are not an acceptable cap.
Image source: reddit.com
Answer: the makeup or mask worn by the Beast in the 80s/90s "Beauty and the Beast"
Image source: KatieLily_Simmer
Answer: bun warmer
Image source: ffatr2012
Answer: it's a fishing rod holder.
Image source: reddit.com
Answer: phone table with storage space for the phone book.
Image source: aimeeeeeee12
Answer: These have to be evaporation ponds near some sort of mineral mine.
Image source: reddit.com
Answer: Handbook of Royal Arch Masonry, Guide for Chapter Officers
Image source: trvlbugspnner
Answer: It’s a hairpin or a clothes pin/brooch. If it’s something 2000 years old, you need to see a professional at a museum/institute of archaeology to get it evaluated AND then get it insured.
Image source: Mywifelikesteancum
Answer: Just asked my girlfriend who is Korean who says it’s from the health centre in Jeju island. The writing says “Metropolitan mental health welfare centre” It is literally just a hand massager, really common for old people To get one with welfare packs. Pressure points are really important to Korean people. So wouldn’t be surprised to hear they include one in the COVID care kit.
Image source: two_owwies
Answer: Card table space
Image source: Wolfe_Cola
Answer: They are rescue grips for things like ice fishing. Run the cord through your jacket sleeves and the spikesv are at hand if you fall through the ice.
Image source: clark_harrison
Answer: That is an artillery round, probably 155. Looks unfired, good that EOD is en route. Do not mess with it.
Image source: padmoosen
Answer: It is a door silencer. It wraps around and covers the latch on a door so that it doesn't latch and the rubber also makes the door open and close silently. The straps go around the doorknob on each side.
Image source: reddit.com
Answer: Ironsand, also known as iron-sand or iron sand, is a type of sand with heavy concentrations of iron. It is typically dark grey or blackish in colour.
Image source: megaku
Answer: It’s an extension for lighting candles
Image source: okaythenksbye
Answer: it went through varying changes in temperature in the past years and destabilized causing oil to separate and crystallize. Same thing happens in crayons.
Image source: Creep41
Answer: a knapped flint knife. It's also very strong. Typically it's knapped but your blade looks like it was sharpened on a stone. It's probably a Boy Scout or survival class project.
Image source: shantayyoustayyy
Answer: It’s for carrying books.
#1 Found In A Bag Together While Digging A Pool In Massachusetts. Penny For Scale
Image source: FFiresticks
Answer: Toy plates for a dollhouse.
#2 My Security Camera Caught This Individual With A Large Device, Possibly Scanning For Something? The Individual Noticed The Camera And Changed Their Mind It Seems, But What Have They Got And What Are They Doing?
Image source: reddit.com
Answer: this person is probably a carthieve scanning for keyless car keys. . never leave them near windows and doors
#3 Small Round “Shelf” In Old Mail Box. What Is This Thing?
Image source: theokcorral
Answer: for leaving change for postal worker to add postage. USPS delivery people are required to have stamps and you don't even need to catch them to buy some. If you have a piece of mail without postage you can put it in your mailbox with cash and the carrier will bring back change (if needed) the next day.
#4 1.5 Inches Long, Hard And Glossy. Found 5 Feet Below The Bottom Of A Virginia River
Image source: reddit.com
Answer: Fossil snail casting
#5 Found In A House I Moved Into. The Chain Has Two Corks Attached On Either End
Image source: reddit.com
Answer: It is for wine. Ice goes in the little side container to keep it cold.
#6 My Boyfriend And I Were Traveling Sunday Evening (10/25) And We Flew Over Clouds That Were Glowing Orange. Photo Details Suggest That It Was Somewhere Over Kingsville, On, Canada. Any Idea What Caused This?
Image source: lolliven
Answer: Grow lights inside massive greenhouses just east of Kingsville.
#7 Glass Items Seen At Yard Sale. They Aren't Doorknobs And Some Look Like One Solid Piece?
Image source: reddit.com
Answer: Knife rests
#8 This Is About The Size Of My Hand, Made Of/With Some Kind Of Metal (I Think Copper)
Image source: ItsaMeRobert
Answer: This is mostly likely thousands of years old - a Pre-Columbian artifact.
You should take it to a university or museum for analysis.
DO NOT polish it or clean it.
#9 What Is The Purpose Of The “Chip” In The One Prong Of This Fork? At First, I Though It Actually Was Just A Chip, But Turns Out Its On Multiple Forks In My Drawer. Any Ideas?
Image source: aceastrojet
Answer: they make one tine wider for cutting stuff, but the wider one wouldn’t stab as well as the others, so the gave it a clipped point.
#10 What Is This? White Particles On Back Of TV. Found No Where Else In Home, Not Even On Surrounding Furniture/Wall. Cleans Off But Reappears After A Few Weeks.
Image source: Boxerorbag
Answer: fire retardant reacting with the environment. This white powder is not harmful nor is it mold. We have had a few cases and have found it is the fire retardant interacting with the environment. In most instances all that is needed to correct this is a damp cloth, but in the case the white spots do come back we have a tech come out and replace the back cabinet.
#11 Found On Counter In Medical Exam Room: String Of Plastic Numbered Oval Beads. My Own Doc Had No Idea. Pen For Scale
Image source: reddit.com
Answer: orchidometer. Used for sizing testicles.
#12 What Is This Piece Of Playground Equipment For? Seems Like It Must Have A Function Other Than To Just Lay On It
Image source: Enginerdad
Answer: Manufacturers are providing a lot more pieces that are accessible to children with limited mobility. While this may seem less interesting at first glance, imagine the benefits to children who’ve never been able to climb up to a slide or fire pole.
#13 My Girlfriend Lives In A Basement Apartment And In The Closet Under A False Floor There's This Pipe In The Ground. Smells Terrible Like Sewage. Any Idea What It Is And How To Fix It?
Image source: Orphan-Slayer
Answer: It appears to be an old broken drain, or more likely, a cleanout with a broken cover. That needs to be capped ASAP. Sewer gasses are a noxious health hazard. Note, tape and plastic are not an acceptable cap.
#14 Strange Mask? Found It But I’m Not Sure What It Is
Image source: reddit.com
Answer: the makeup or mask worn by the Beast in the 80s/90s "Beauty and the Beast"
#15 Found At Antique Shop. Think It Might Be Some Sort Of Food Server. But Really No Idea What This Is!
Image source: KatieLily_Simmer
Answer: bun warmer
#16 Friend Found At A Goodwill. Tool Belt Of Some Kind. Anyone Know The Specific Use?
Image source: ffatr2012
Answer: it's a fishing rod holder.
#17 What Is The Hollow Part Of This For? Never Seen Anything Like It Before. Cat For Size Reference
Image source: reddit.com
Answer: phone table with storage space for the phone book.
#18 Near Agate, Utah. My Dad And I Came Across This On Google Maps Today But No Search On Google Gave Me An Answer
Image source: aimeeeeeee12
Answer: These have to be evaporation ponds near some sort of mineral mine.
#19 Found This Tiny Book With No Cover And Has These Weird Text In It
Image source: reddit.com
Answer: Handbook of Royal Arch Masonry, Guide for Chapter Officers
#20 Friend Received This Passed Down From His Great Great Grandfather. It’s Believed To Be From Persia & About 2,000 Years Old
Image source: trvlbugspnner
Answer: It’s a hairpin or a clothes pin/brooch. If it’s something 2000 years old, you need to see a professional at a museum/institute of archaeology to get it evaluated AND then get it insured.
#21 This Hollow Bumpy Thing Was In My Quarantine Care Package. On Either End Are 5 Small Holes Arranged In A Pentagon (Which Don't Whistle Btw).
Image source: Mywifelikesteancum
Answer: Just asked my girlfriend who is Korean who says it’s from the health centre in Jeju island. The writing says “Metropolitan mental health welfare centre” It is literally just a hand massager, really common for old people To get one with welfare packs. Pressure points are really important to Korean people. So wouldn’t be surprised to hear they include one in the COVID care kit.
#22 House Built Circa 1950. Left Door Is A Linen Closet. Right Door Is... What? So Deep That It Takes Up Space In A Closet Around The Corner. Door For House Elf? Witt?
Image source: two_owwies
Answer: Card table space
#23 Jump Rope Spike? Two Spring Covered Spikes Connected With Paracord
Image source: Wolfe_Cola
Answer: They are rescue grips for things like ice fishing. Run the cord through your jacket sleeves and the spikesv are at hand if you fall through the ice.
#24 Found This While Renovating. Any Idea? Bomb Squad On The Way. Montreal, Qc
Image source: clark_harrison
Answer: That is an artillery round, probably 155. Looks unfired, good that EOD is en route. Do not mess with it.
#25 Someone Was Gifted This For A New Baby With No Note On What It Is
Image source: padmoosen
Answer: It is a door silencer. It wraps around and covers the latch on a door so that it doesn't latch and the rubber also makes the door open and close silently. The straps go around the doorknob on each side.
#26 What Is This Thing: Some Beach Sand In Ecuador Is Magnetic
Image source: reddit.com
Answer: Ironsand, also known as iron-sand or iron sand, is a type of sand with heavy concentrations of iron. It is typically dark grey or blackish in colour.
#27 Weird Metal Part That Comes In A Matchbox Every Once In A While
Image source: megaku
Answer: It’s an extension for lighting candles
#28 These Weird Crystals Growing On My Highlighter?
Image source: okaythenksbye
Answer: it went through varying changes in temperature in the past years and destabilized causing oil to separate and crystallize. Same thing happens in crayons.
#29 Found While Turning Garden This Spring In The Appalachian Foothills Of East Tennessee. What Is This Thing?
Image source: Creep41
Answer: a knapped flint knife. It's also very strong. Typically it's knapped but your blade looks like it was sharpened on a stone. It's probably a Boy Scout or survival class project.
#30 This Was Found With Old Tools. Doesn't Seem To Attach To Anything. It Can Lock In Place And The Middle Bit Turns Round, Unravelling Two Straps Of Fabric. I'm Stumped!
Image source: shantayyoustayyy
Answer: It’s for carrying books.DE
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