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Did you know that frisbees were originally just pie containers? Or that Play-Doh was intended to be a wallpaper cleaner? Sometimes, customers find a better use for products than what they were originally marketed as, so companies decide to pivot. But there are also plenty of cases of companies being in denial about what their products are used for, regardless of how many people purchase them for different reasons.

Redditors have recently been discussing some of the most commonly misused items people buy, so we’ve gathered their thoughts down below. Enjoy scrolling through, and be sure to upvote the products you’re guilty of using for different purposes too!

#1

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Back in the days before digital cameras, 35mm film came in plastic bottles that everyone used to store their weed in.

Dependent-Sign-2407 , Junior Libby / publicdomainpictures Report

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LAWLAWLAW
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We use the plastic yellow egg things the toys from Kinder eggs come in now

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#2

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Treadmills. Intended for exercise, but globally recognized as the best clothes racks you never knew you needed.

Aggressive-Pin-170 , WalkingPad Report

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Brian N
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It still counts as running.... away from your housework

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#3

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Former GF gave me a model Death Star. Looks like pewter but I'm not sure. A bit smaller than a tennis ball. It looks pretty cool, but she was so excited when she explained "Look! It opens up! It's a grinder for dried spices when you cook!"
Didn't want to hurt her feelings by explaining that she had given me a weed grinder. I was dying inside holding in the laughter.

recoveringatty42 Report

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Zedrapazia
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair, you can also use it to bring herbs if you want to do that. Is even quite practical. I have one that looks like a fat round cat, and I don't even drink, let alone smoke anything.

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To find out more about how this conversation started in the first place, we reached out to Reddit user EVERYTHING_WAS_TAKEN who posed the question, "What is an item that everyone misuses but the makers pretend they don't know?"

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She shared that Q-tips/cotton swabs inspired her to ask this question. "I was looking at the pack in my bathroom and started wondering if there was other stuff out there like it," the OP told Bored Panda. "Everyone puts them in the ear, and the manufacturers definitely know that. I think I've learned a whole new world of how deep exactly some people put them from this Reddit post, though. Don't damage your ears, kids! Swab responsibly."

#4

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Ozempic for weight loss which leads to shortages for people with diabetes.

Everyday_ASMR , Chemist4U / Flickr Report

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Sexual Harassment Panda
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My 76 yr old mother with diabetes relys on Ozempic and will some times have to go without for a week or two because the pharmacy is out. Very concerning just for someone else's vanity.

Ken Beattie
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kinda depends whether it's purely for vanity or whether they're morbidly obese and the doctor is prescribing it to help save their lives. Anyway, on a related note a friend of mine with diabetes is now having trouble buying refills for the in-arm blood sugar monitor he uses to track his sugar levels because apparently they're also being bought by the Ozempic for dieting people.

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SnazzySpinach
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most comments are disgusting and one sided. After having ED in my teenage years I had developed anxiety and I am on AD medication for ten years after which I gained 100lbs in less than a year. Over these years I've tried everything to lose weight but nothing worked. My metabolism and hormones are messed up. But last month I was prescribed Rybelsus which is a pill form of Ozempic and is NOT in short supply. It is already life changing and I've already lost 15lbs! I do agree that it shouldn't be used for people that have only couples pounds to lose, but for others it is truly life changing medication.

mracanterbury
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ozempic is FDA approved for weight loss, it just got renamed Wegovy for marketing purposes. I'm a prescriber, and at least here in Connecticut, they both have pretty good availability right now. What's more difficult it getting it covered by insurance. Very expensive, and when prescribed for weight loss, it's usually not covered.

KatSaidWhat
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Said elsewhere that some pharmacies in London stopped giving to any (regular customers) who had not previously been on any other diabetic drug but was suddenly on ozempic due to huge shortages here caused by rich people buying all the stock and some surgeries (ours and others) stockpiling (I work in an affluent area). We also then stopped prescribing it for vanity reasons.

oldandexhausted79
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am slightly overweight and went to the doctors recently, they really tried to push Ozempic on me and i refused, as my friends mother has diabetes and has had to reduce her dose from 100ml to 30ml because her pharmacy can't get hold of it because it's being given to people to lose weight. (in the UK)

Auntriarch
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You should have accepted it and given it to your friend's mum. Yes I know that's illegal.

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Zedrapazia
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seriously, screw anyone who uses this for quick weight loss. The lazyness of these people who just want to become thin quick and easy brings suffering and potential health risks for anyone who relies on this stuff for their survival and wellbeing. The diabetics should ALWAYS go first when it comes to this stuff. Plus, Ozempic can cause an array of health issues, such as constipation, bloating, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and people who use it to lose weight are quite likely to relapse and become even fatter than they were in the beginning. Those are risks nobody except for those who NEED Ozempic should take.

LakotaWolf (she/her)
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Plus, getting thin “quickly”/losing weight too fast has a slew of health risks of its own. :(

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Wintermute
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Keep in mind. The pharmaceutical companies can increase production fairly rapidly with their available resource base, but won't because artificial scarcity and quarterly savings are more important than your life.

pebs
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Given that even in the USA you need a prescription to buy Ozempic, in addition to the problem of idiots taking it unnecessarily, it seems that there is also a big problem of corruption among doctors.

TheBlueBitterfly
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Corruption among doctors?? Unheard of! You'd think that they'd be getting kickbacks from the pharmaceutical companies for prescribing certain drugs! /s

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PiAnisum
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't comprehend how egoistic people are who take it without a prescribtion of a doctor. But I never understood why some people are ready to risk their health for their looks either. That stuff could have impact on other medication or cause completely new health problems just like any other meds can. However I bet if the same folks get prescribed a drug for actual health problems, they want to know if there are any sideeffects and if there are some "natural ways" for healing, so they don't have to ingest "those bad chemicals". Like the ones getting botox injections but flip about getting a flu shot.

Kaedyn Walsh
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I also have no idea why you got downvotes either. You and the other person are saying the exact same things those with a lot of up votes are saying.

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Poppy
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My sister is suffering raging tendonitis in her feet due to her not being able to get her diabetes medication because of the shortage. Her blood sugars have been fluctuating wildly because of this, her weight has shot up and her eye sight is deteriorating, all because people want to use a medication designed for people with diabetes to help lose weight.

James Howell
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My health is being jeapardized due this shortage. I'm hoping that the company that makes Ozempic will make more for those of that need it!! Both diabetes and weight problems. It's so scary to be honest.....

AnkleByter
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really don't understand why people seem to think those who are taking it for weight loss (whether or not others think they should or need to) are the cause of shortages or even the problem. Go after the damn manufacturers who INTENTIONALLY keep supply low which drives demand and ultimately their bottom line. They're making money hand over fist and those who truly need it and cannot get it should be ranting at the idiots who are actually the real problem. There is no *actual* reason for shortages (of any drug for that matter) other than the manufacturer *choosing* to cause one. The problem starts and ends right there, not with people who buy it for vanity sake, doctors who prescribe it without just cause, people who don't make better life choices, or any other reason. It's the manufacturer, plain and simple. But all the "they're taking it and don't need it" misdirection keeps the heat off the actual issue.

Full of Giggles
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On the other hand, it’s probably helping prevent diabetes in many patients.

Michelle Hasenkamp
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always wondered how Jabba the Hutt would have done with ozympic. No doubt he wouldn't share

Mary Gillis
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I take Trulicity for diabetes and I can't find it in stock at any of my local pharmacies, I'm glad that some of these drugs help people lose weight but I need it to stay alive,

Tenebre
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's not forget that using these kinds of meds for weight loss instead of the intended purpose is causing stomach paralysis and if you discontinue using it you regain the weight

Auryn Shadowfaerie
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or Jardiance. Being a skinny diabetic, I lost about 20 pounds that I didn't need to lose, but the medicationworked better than anything else I'd taken. Now my mother takes it strictly for the weight loss. Smh

Billie Sue Patrick
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Obesity is the underlying issue for everyone taking ozempic regardless of whether they have clinical indicators of type 2 diabetes yet or not. Type 2 diabetes is caused by obesity so you can look at using ozempic for weight loss as diabetes prevention. From that standpoint, it's better to treat obesity before irreversible insulin resistance (the cause of type 2 diabetes) develops. Type 1 diabetics use insulin, so who uses Ozempic or why doesn't affect them. The increased use of sensors by nondiabetics seems to have made them cheaper, more widely available, and more sophisticated. There really aren't that many type 1 diabetics (comparatively speaking), but the fitness industry is huge. In the case of sensors, a broader spectrum of demand has resulted in better products.

JP
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This whole "shortage" is absolutely the manufacturer's fault. Ozempic is TWO tiny amino acids stuck together. The smallest peptide chain possible. But can you patent an oxygen molecule? No, you can not. So they patent **the injector** -- which they expect you to RE-USE. Instead of a standard .33ml insulin syringe which you then throw AWAY like a sane person. THAT's why even the single agonist is $1300-1500 a month. The people wanting to lose weight aren't "using it all". You need it? Go BUY IT. "Oh it's fake, it's the sodium form, it's not real" - Do your research and don't fall for the scare tactics -- OR the scams. After all, this is the internet. But reliable sources DO exist. (i am not a Dr or lawyer, just a human being tired of the money grubbing at the expense of actual people) Work with a sympathetic doctor to get a script and find a reliable compounding pharmacy. Two standard peptides, some B12, and boom, $60-120 a month including syringes. For ANYONE.

Karin Rosenthal
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Using a medication to lose weight is not vanity. That is an ignorant and uninformed opinion that is not supported by science. Obesity is a medical condition that affects millions of people, most of whom have struggled their entire lives. You need to get educated so you don't continue with your erroneous belief.

Ann Turner-Drevalas
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I couldn't get my Trulicity for 3 weeks for the same reason. had blood sugar readings of 300, couldn't sleep because my high glucose alarm kept going off. but someone looked good at their high school reunion.

Ione Decep
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my doctor recommended me to a weight loss counselor to discuss the different drugs available (Ozempic, Saxanda and 3rd one I can't recall the name of), the counselor said straight out that unless I actually had diabetes, I wasn't getting Ozempic.

Brandon Parisien
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Weight loss: proper diet, exercise, self control. ... none of which I have, lol

Claire Trautmann
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am experiencing this now it's been 2 weeks since I've had my medication with no end date in sight.

Angela W
Community Member
9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read somewhere when I first went on Wegovy (needed because I was extremely overweight and have now lost 130lbs) that it was the injector that was more scarce than the medication itself. I thought that made more sense, but I don't recall the source. And my insurance covered it. I am not an elitist or anything like that and would NEVER have been able to afford it and would still be struggling. I actually had bariatric surgery 15 years ago and lost maybe 50 pounds from that which left me still obese. I am hoping that will make me unlikely to have issues from the stomach paralysis another poster mentioned.

Rahb in Oz
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ironically, I used to rely on this for diabetes control, but it NEVER led to weight loss, sigh.

Gypsy Lee
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because if you can afford it you probably aren’t aware it wasn’t made “just” for your lazy aßß.

Slap Shot
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pharmacies with regular customers that have diabetes and are on Ozempic should hold onto their doses for them and distribute the rest to others. Diabetics should come first.

Scott Wilkins
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can't upvote this enough. Taking a medical necessity so you can control your damn appetite.

Rosie Red
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's this thing called diet and exercise. It works pretty well.

Melody
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What’s preventing the companies from ramping up production? That’s the real issue here.

Robin Roper
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had trouble getting Trulicity because so many doctors had to switch patients from Ozempic to Trulicity because Ozempic was out of stock due to so many who were taking it to lose weight.

Anthony Nizza
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doctors should know that people with diabetes need this to live.

Jenna Kay
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This just ticks me off. My hubby NEEDS his shots to stay alive, and yet we have to work so hard to get them.

LuLuBelle
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jokes on them. The weight comes back with a vengeance once you stop taking semaglutides. Can you really afford to take it for the rest of your life? Why not just stop drinking soda, eating a diet that's almost completely ultra-processed food, and cut back on added sugar. And for God's sake go outside. Problem solved. And don't come at me about poverty and food deserts. If you can afford Ozempic, you can afford to eat right. This is addressed to people taking Ozempic out of vanity and laziness, not people with bona fide medical issues causing obesity.

firecrackershrimp
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because sometime s you give up all that and are trying and the weight still won't come off, and if you have underlying health issues it's a problem. Ozempic doesn't Make the weight come off it actually makes your brain not get the I'm hungry signal so that you then don't want to eat . Without that signal many people struggle to fight the urge. No different than any other addiction. Sometimes all the willpowyin the world isn't enough. You can still be overweight be eating only healthy foods and while exercising. So you all need to get off your high horse if you don't understand underlying problems.

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JuniorCJ82
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fact that people are allowed to do that in the first place (let alone doctors that "prescribe" it and pharmacies that actually sell it to them) is DISGUSTING.

BrownTabby
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People get soooo pissed off when you point out that it’s vanity too. If they care so much about health, why can’t they just eat healthily and exercise?

CK
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The vast majority of attempts to lose weight fail. Many people do need a medical intervention to help them lose weight for their health. However, when there is a limited supply, the drug should be reserved for those whose need for it is more pressing, and the people who do not have treatment resistent obesity and are using it just to look thinner are abusing it.

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#5

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Flat head screwdriver - scraper, pry bar. chisel, weapon, stake, etc...

Keveros , Tjcase2 Report

#6

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose The 'Terms and Conditions' booklet. It's the world's most popular unread bestseller.

Acrobatic-Law-2114 , RDNE Stock project / Pexels Report

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Roxy222uk
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We live in a world now where one app can require reading hundreds of pages of Ts&Cs. It's ridiculous and needs to be sorted out. It is not the fault of the consumer.

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"I'm an artist, so I frequently misuse objects and repurpose them," the OP continued. "But this post was meant to find out about physical things that are misused in the same way by the majority of users, and is common knowledge."

And as far as why companies pretend that they don't know people are misusing their products, EVERYTHING_WAS_TAKEN supposes that it's for several reasons. "They would have to redesign something that already works properly for its intended purpose, so that just means extra cost on their side when they're not technically liable for misuse," she noted.

#7

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose The drawer beneath your oven. It's for keeping baked goods warm, not for storing pans.

SirKensingtonsSlop , Curtis Adams / Pexels Report

#8

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Kitchen scales. I bought one on Amazon that had poor reviews because you couldn’t measure out portions of a gram. My stupid a*s asked my husband why the hell someone would care if the measurement of their flour was 1/10 of a gram off.

He just stared at me until I got it lol.

Elegant-Pressure-290 , Marco Verch / Flickr Report

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#9

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose I'll start : QTips/cotton swabs. Everyone puts them in the canal, but the boxes always pretend like they're made for the outside of the ear.

EVERYTHlNG_WAS_TAKEN , gratuit / freeimageslive Report

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You want clean ear canals, the nurse at the clinic I went to recommended Debrox. It comes as a little kit with the Debrox drops and a little squeeze bulb. Huge game changer for me. Followed the instructions to the letter and my ear wax is gone.

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"Also, tons of people would complain, so customer dissatisfaction," the OP shared. "And people misusing the item would find something else to buy, so customer loss."

"In some cases, you actually can't 'fix' the product to stop a specific misuse because it's being used technically properly but for a different goal," she explained. "So there's nothing they can do. And honestly, some of these misuses are so bizarre it would just be weird for a company to try to address it," she added with a laugh.

#10

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Back in the days of the Prohibition, a lot of grape juice was sold with extremely explicit instructions of all the things you'd need to do to ferment it but with the disclaimer of "here's what's illegal to do".

PixelArtDragon , PerspectiveHuman3800 Report

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the pictured example. Strangely, the brick and the Benzoate of Soda are both shelf stable so they could have easily included it with the brick but they didn't. Hmmmmm....

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#11

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Think Johnny Appleseed was planting apple trees for the health benefits of apples? Nope it was to make cider.

Going way back, farming advances and the cultivation of grains was primarily to make beer, going way back to Mesopotamia.

Skid-Vicious , ELEVATE / Pexels Report

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Kate
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Archaeology major. Can confirm: the agricultural revolution happened because beer.

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#12

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose I caught a friend of mine rubbing one of the antibacterial hand wipes from KFC all over his friends chicken. The little packet said 'a hint of lemon' on it, and he thought that he was meant to flavour the chicken with it...

Fantastic-Sunshine , Abi Porter / Flickr Report

EVERYTHING_WAS_TAKEN went on to share that most of the responses to her post were unexpected. "I was thinking cotton swabs, Reddit was thinking drugs and other questionable activities," she said with a laugh. "Yeah, it was definitely interesting how many people answered the same things - I guess the question worked!"

"The funny ones to me were the people who hadn't seen my comment proposing the cotton swab, and started their comments with, 'There's no way this post isn't talking about Q-Tips...'" she added.

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#13

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Cookie dough. We'll keep eating it raw.

kerdita , pickpik Report

#14

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Back massagers.

ArcTan_Pete:

Especially the famous Hitachi Magic Wand for 'relieving sore muscles and back tension'

Telrom_1 , ajay_suresh / flickr Report

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SadieCat17 (she/her)
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

CERTAINLY NOT ONE OF THE KINDS SHOWN IN THE PICTURE!!!!!!! I sure love shattering my pelvis. /s

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#15

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Up until recently, Pedialyte. Marketed as a drink for babies, but was used as a hangover cure. Recently they started marketing to adults however.

bmg_7474 , Sean Freese / flickr Report

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Hphizzle
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an adult wth bowel issues, electrolyte drinks are a must. Luckily in Japan they sell non-flavored electrolyte drinks. They even come in gel style packs.

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Finally, the OP added that if we could misuse characteristics of animals however we wanted to, she thinks it would be great to misuse an elephant's brain, a lion's heart, a kitten's lovableness, and a T-rex's arms. "What could be better than a chicken with T-rex arms?" she asked. "Good thing humans are still relative blobs and we haven't figured that out yet."

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#16

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Hydroponics kit. To help you grow some really big tomatoes, innit.

BigBird2378 , Dennis Lamczak / wikimedia Report

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boredApe
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've never used my hydroponics kit to grow pot (which is legal where I am). I actually grow veggies. You should try it. Much cheaper than using the grocery store and you get fresh year-round produce.

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#17

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose The various items that Hospital ERs have to remove from people’s rectums…

TPS_Data_Scientist Report

#18

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Recently, I found out the existence of fake urine for "experiments" and "pranks."

The real use is to bypass drug tests.

anima99 , Cambodia, P.I. Network / flickr Report

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Beeps
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Erm, Mr Smith, I have some good news for you: first of all, your drug test came back clear. And also, congratulations, you’re pregnant.

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#19

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose No one uses Miracle Whip as a salad dressing.

RexBulby , Louisa Billeter / flickr Report

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TheBlueBitterfly
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Chicken salad, potato salad, macaroni salad.. not "greens and cut veggies" salad! (But it's better if you use real mayo anyway!)

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#20

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose In the UK, sales of nitrous oxide cannisters used for whipping cream have skyrocketed in the past 10 years.

Spoiler: This isn't due to the correlation in popularity of 'The Great British Bake Off', it's due to its disassociative psychoactive effects.

RedditUser3525 , Rob Brewer / flickr Report

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

About 15 years ago there was this sketchy bodega around the corner from the house I was living in. Always thought it was weird they carried those keyboard dusting cans. Then my roommate told me people use them to get high. Then he proceeded to demonstrate. We don't live together anymore.

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#21

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Whoever makes the little tiny ziplock baggies to hold 'buttons' or 'jewellery' in.

corkas_ , SonnyandSandy / flickr Report

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🦄 Unicorn Princess
Community Member
9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We all know what they are really used for. Well at least i do being a recovering addict. (5 years as of 02/06/24) Edit: I'm not saying it was the only thing they were used for. Shoot when I make jewelry it is normally in a little baggy until it is delivered to the person who ordered it. Also there's some sort of crabby person on here who likes to download people giving encouragement to others. Grow the actual f♡c♡ up!!! Edit 2: Just forget I said anything.

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#22

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose I have a dry herb vape that from the instructions seems to think that people really want to inhale the essence of rosemary or thyme.

CommunicationHot7822 , Vaping360 / flickr Report

#23

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Cup ramen in the foam containers… they are not supposed to be microwaved and supposedly only recently are they designing a cup that can be.

TheKiwiQueen , Alpha / flickr Report

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KDS
Community Member
9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some people need to read the instructions on the cup before making it?

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#24

Cough medicine containing dextromethorphan (robocough, robotabs). If taken as prescribed, it's a cough suppressant. If taken in much higher dosages, it's a dissociative anesthetic, like pcp or ketamine. Kids and adults have been abusing the stuff for decades. There's a whole subculture around it.

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David
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

PSA IF YOU ARE JUST LEARNING THIS AND PLAN TO EXPERIMENT PLEASE EDUCATE YOURSELF FIRST The other ingredients in many cough syrups can kill you or your liver in recreational doses So can DXM in high enough doses as the dissociative effects start to affect your autonomic systems (breathing / heart)

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#25

Handheld massaging shower heads.

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#26

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Kmart "Spice grinders" that for some reason are one of the only products in the kitchen aisle to have anti theft devices on them.

Edit: kmart is still really big in Aus

HelloFoxie , kRuPtKiNg Report

#27

Had a co-worker order an electric water distiller.

I works just as well for making nearly pure alcohol, although it is marketed specifically for distilling water.

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David
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you want one for that purpose try to get one of the ones with adjustable temperature Water vaporizes at just under 212F ethanol at 173 F

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#28

Bobby pins. Groove side faces down towards the scalp to effectively hold the pin in place.

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#29

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Poppers, "leather cleaner, do not inhale or ingest"

beretta_vexee , Chris / flickr Report

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Zedrapazia
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For people who don't know what that is, it's occasionally used by gay dudes because it has a muscle relaxing reaction when breathing it in. I doubt I have to explain what muscle has to relax and why. Depending on the country it's illegal to buy. What you learn at the university when studying law is sometimes fascinating ...

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#30

Uncle Ben's rice. It's very popular for cultivating mushrooms of the magic variety.

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SadieCat17 (she/her)
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In all fairness, most people use it for eating rice and not as a sanitary incubation pouch.

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#31

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Not exactly misuse, but I've heard that those thin packets of sugar are supposed to be bent in the middle, not torn from the side.

Sounded bizzare, but it actually works. And leaves you with only a single piece of waste too.

_Weyland_ , Trekphiler / wikimedia Report

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Daya Meyer
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So we really need to learn how to rip up a paper bag? Like, is there a forbidden way?

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#32

32 Common Items That Are So Widely Misused You Might Not Even Know Their Original Purpose Travel neck pillows. I’ve only seen about 5 people wearing them correctly (opening in the back, not the front) and I fly at least three times per week so I see them constantly.

Myzyri , Adam Dachis / flickr Report

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Rahul Pawa
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The listings on Amazon for neck pillows all show people using it with the opening in the front. So if the photos on the listings show the intended use, then most people use them as intended, which may or may not be the best way to use them.

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