15+ People Seek Answers About ‘What is This Thing?

We’ve all encountered puzzling objects whose purpose eluded us—whether it was a tool, sign, or product. In search of answers, these individuals took to the internet to identify these enigmatic items.

Through collective knowledge and assistance, they successfully unraveled the mysteries, discovering the true nature and purpose of these objects.

“Glass object, about 10’’ tall and hollow, hole goes all the way through, so not a vase.” It is a candlestick. I had 2 of these.

“What are these wooden/plastic boards in front of the doors? Found in a small Spanish city.” They are used for protecting stray dogs from peeing into the door.

“Wife and I went on vacation for a week while my in-laws babysat our kids. Came back to finding this mystery object inside our refrigerator.” It’s a little handle that locks/unlocks the metal bars that divide up the middle drawer. It slides freely in both X and Y directions to divide the drawer into rectangles of any size, but you have to twist to lock/unlock it. They probably twisted too hard, or moved it without unlocking.

“Metal rocket shaped holder for something.” It’s a stand for bar tools.

“This little ramp thingy on the bottom of a lotion bottle.” It’s for the manufacturing of the product so that it can be turned while standing up.

“What is this bowl for? It’s got a small hole at the bottom.” It looks like a flower bulb forcer.

“My college dorm has these things, several of them on each floor. The building was finished in 1969.” It looks like a phone “booth.” At one point, it likely held a phone.

“My son found this, and we have no clue what it is. My wife says she doesn’t know what it is either.” ROFL! Yeah, I have it in my kitchen drawer. The first time I saw it, I had no idea what it was. It’s a measuring cup holder.

“A small cast metal table with slot for a conical metal instrument.” Waffle cone roller, I was a wizard with that thing. I kind of miss it, just for the fact that my entire wardrobe smelled of cones.

“Plastic ring with 3 relatively sharp metal claws, found on beach in Scotland.” It’s a “claw” to help pull in fishing nets.

“Renting a house and the basement has these ropes with some sort of plastic hooks/clamps.” Looks like a display I have for baseball hats.

“Found these tiny round brown grains on top of a second mattress cover, right below my husband’s pillow. We have cats, but it’s not the same color as their litter.” It looks like foam from the mattress. It gets through the fabric and then turns into balls.

“Tennis racket with a hook on the back, on a long chain with ball at the end.” This is used to measure the height of the net in tennis. The hook hangs on the top of the net and the net is tightened till the ball just touches the grass.

“Glass objects with decorative flower patterns. 600 grams each.” They look more like those old furniture or piano casters/cups to prevent floor damage.

“What is this asterisk style wall socket/cover in my buddy’s house?” It’s for sending wires through the wall, there should be a corresponding one somewhere else.

“I found this doodad in a box of junk jewelry. The large disc slides up and down the chain.” Antique ladies watch chain.

“Wooden elephants with a rod through them. Rod slides out and elephants are removable.” It’s a napkin holder.

“5-foot-tall solid brick structure in the woods near my house” It’s an old sign with the name of a district or location. Usually installed by the builders.