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From yard sales to the attics of our parent's homes, we have all probably come across weird objects that don’t seem to have any discernible purpose. Like anthropologists studying the site of an ancient city, we had to try and piece together contextual clues. But these days, through the magic of the internet, we can simply ask hundreds of thousands of people to help. 

The “What is it?” online community is dedicated to helping people understand what obscure object they are looking at. So get comfortable, make your best guesses in the comments, and be sure to upvote your favorite posts. 

#1

Found While Hiking, What Is This Thing?

Found While Hiking, What Is This Thing?

Answer: MCH (3-methlcyclohex-2-en1) bubble, MCH is a pheromone given off by female Douglas-fir bark beetles after laying their eggs that affects the behavior of other beetles by communicating to them that eggs have already been laid on this tree and signals to the other beetles to leave that tree alone. Basically they’re placed there by the Forestry Service to prevent infestations of bark beetles, if you see them, leave them alone

14SierraMist14 Report

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Rigor Moreno
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A description and a reminder would help a lot to those who don't know... :D

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#2

Got Really Drunk At A Fancy Club And Found This In My Purse Today, What Is It?

Got Really Drunk At A Fancy Club And Found This In My Purse Today, What Is It?

Answer: Toilet paper holder

Sensitive_Volume_592 Report

#3

What Is This Symbol On A Passing Car's Rear Window? Seen In Georgia, Near Atlanta

What Is This Symbol On A Passing Car's Rear Window? Seen In Georgia, Near Atlanta

Answer: Aegishjalmur, it’s an Icelandic magical stave. Used to protect warriors and instill fear in enemies

EquivalentAnt2088 Report

Bored Panda got in touch with the moderators of the subreddit, and they were kind enough to answer some of our questions. “Firstly, we were curious to hear how the page even came into being. The subreddit was made 14 years ago by a different user that I have no contact with. He had abandoned it, and the sub had been dead for a while.”

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“About 5 years ago, I took over the subreddit using r/redditrequest, because I was interested in seeing what it was like moderating a subreddit. The sub was pretty small for a long time, until the beginning of this year when it began getting large amounts of new members,” they shared with Bored Panda.

#4

I Found This Many Many Many Years Ago…

I Found This Many Many Many Years Ago…

Answer: Antique circa 1920 sterling silver lady's coin purse with a mirror

navesurazal Report

#5

Help! What Is This?

Help! What Is This?

Answer: that is the pin that holds nail clippers together

kairi8991 Report

#6

A Friend Found This At A Lake In Glacier National Park, Any Ideas What It Is?

A Friend Found This At A Lake In Glacier National Park, Any Ideas What It Is?

Answer: Looks like an ancient mastadon tooth

Puzzleheaded-Sea-616 Report

Naturally, we also wanted to hear their take on why the page suddenly grew in size. “I'm almost certain that the big boost in members is due to the Reddit API protests that happened earlier this year. During the protest, a lot of big subreddits went private, and I guess that caused the algorithm to start recommending small subreddits like mine.”

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#7

Saw This From Our Plane

Saw This From Our Plane

Answer: Utah’s Potash ponds are used in the separation of potassium from various mined and manufactured salts. The resulting potassium is used for fertilizer, animal feed and water softening

AnglophileHistoryNut Report

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WindySwede
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only knew it (water softening) worked with Sodium, didn't know it worked with Potassium! Here quality NaCl is used, as far as I know.

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#8

Why Is The Retaining Wall Like This?

Why Is The Retaining Wall Like This?

Answer: Those are tieback anchors with their pointy end covered. They go long past the back of the wall and likely into some rock somewhere behind the retaining wall. They are there as reinforcement to prevent movement of the wall over time

Minimum_Zucchini1572 Report

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#9

Found In My Yard In Central Massachusetts. Metal, Pretty Heavy

Found In My Yard In Central Massachusetts. Metal, Pretty Heavy

Answer: horse drawn carriage leaf sprngs

vewyembawassin Report

“During the days that the protest happened, the sub started getting crazy amounts of members, like more than 10k per day for a little while, which was crazy since the sub had less than 10k members for years, and then suddenly it was getting more than that in a day. It has slowed down again now though,” they shared. 

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#10

Found On Beach After Storm In Outer Banks, North Carolina

Found On Beach After Storm In Outer Banks, North Carolina

Answer: Jaw bone of a whale (blue whale, grey whale..?)

neleh1989 Report

#11

Does My Work Know When I’m [Pooping]?

Does My Work Know When I’m [Pooping]?

It’s a wireless reed switch or sensor. Will tell you when the door is opened or closed.

The bad me wonders why the hell they want to know how long each [poop] takes and why they are measuring this. The perhaps more naive me wonders if they change cleaning schedules depending on the number of “stall cycles”.

Still kind of a weird thing on a [toilet] door.

Scotttyy Report

#12

What The Heck Is This? Heavy, Made Of Glass, Found In A Freight Train Dump Yard

What The Heck Is This? Heavy, Made Of Glass, Found In A Freight Train Dump Yard

Answer: it's from a modern LCD projector. white light goes in, gets split into three, each color goes through a different LCD, then directed into this which recombines them into a coherent single "beam" which is what gets thrown into the screen

Additional_Camel_837 Report

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We wanted to know what the mods thought was the main draw of the group. “I think that people are drawn to the subreddit because, for a lot of people, it's interesting to look at weird and unusual-looking objects and learn what they are. I have learned about a lot of things I would have never known about if it wasn't for this subreddit. As for me, I have never personally used the subreddit to identify an object.”

#13

What Is The Purpose For This Bottle Opener To Have A Pointy End And A Flat End?

What Is The Purpose For This Bottle Opener To Have A Pointy End And A Flat End?

Answer: The pointy end is to pierce a hole in a 1/2 gallon can of juice (need two holes, one at 12 o’clock and one at 6 o’clock to allow juice to flow out and air to flow in) while the flat end is to open a bottle cap

intrepid604 Report

#14

Been Trying To Figure Out The Purpose Of This Thing Ever Since My Buddy Moved Into His New House

Been Trying To Figure Out The Purpose Of This Thing Ever Since My Buddy Moved Into His New House

Answer: It's a jig for bending metal wire and thin metal bars

Sulpfiction Report

#15

My Neighbor Has This In His Lawn, High Frequency Sound Comes Out Of It When I Pass It

My Neighbor Has This In His Lawn, High Frequency Sound Comes Out Of It When I Pass It

Answer: It's an animal repellent

prettylovers Report

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Poison Ivy/Boo
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My neighbour has something similar. My hubs can't hear it, I can hear clicks but my daughters (26 and 24) says it screeches. They keep it on to discourage foxes.

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“It's been fun watching the subreddit grow over the years, and seeing all kinds of interesting items be identified by the community.” Lastly, we were also curious if there were some items that simply went unidentified. “We have a whole flair dedicated to items that haven't been identified, but the majority of items do get identified eventually. There are lots of people who see the posts, so there's a pretty high chance that someone knows what the item is.”

#16

Found In Parents Bathroom Closet

Found In Parents Bathroom Closet

Answer: I believe is a contact lens cleaner

Bwhit1019 Report

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CrunChewy McSandybutt
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, this one is for using peroxide lens cleaner. The metal bit in it neutralizes the peroxide so it doesn't burn your eyes.

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#17

What Is The Purpose Of These Flaps On The Back Of A Semi?

What Is The Purpose Of These Flaps On The Back Of A Semi?

Answer: It's called a 'trailer tail'. The angle of the panels is supposed to ease the flow of air behind the trailer reducing aerodynamic drag and turbulence and increasing fuel mileage

Mother_Bumblebee4949 Report

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

semi trucks pull a surprising amount of vacuum behind them. One time I was having severe engine problems due to a slipped timing belt / very little power. But it happened while driving from WA to lower Idaho and I HAD to get back due to in military and coming of a 5 off / staring a new work cycle. I ended up traveling for several hundred miles with a trucker, talking to him on the CB. If I tailgated him the suction from his truck added enough pull I could keep up to speed. if I pulled out in the other lane my car immediately started slowing down. It was interesting / kind of scary. I drove a few hundred miles so close all I could see was the back door of his trailer - him on the radio telling me if there was bend in the road or he was going to slow down. He got me to Idaho Falls and I limped across town to my rental and parked. Had to overhaul the engine before I could drive it again. I was still young/immortal. Kind of cringe to think about now.

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#18

Found At A Thrift Store Nobody Knows What It Is

Found At A Thrift Store Nobody Knows What It Is

Answer: It's a toothpaste tube roller for convenience/efficiency

Sad-Cartoonist-7959 Report

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It’s not hard to list the benefits of a group dedicated to identifying objects quickly. Before the internet, we would have been doomed to live in a world full of mystery, now oceans of information are available at the tips of our fingers, as long as we have the energy to read. It’s also a nice jolt of positivity, that there are literally thousands of netizens out there willing to take the time to help you with a mysterious object.

#19

Over Orlando Florida

Over Orlando Florida

Answer: Spacex falcon 9 booster re-entering the atmosphere

TheBrine05 Report

#20

What Is This? Uncle Had This Since Decades And Never Found Out What It This?

What Is This? Uncle Had This Since Decades And Never Found Out What It This?

Answer: It must be the mineral Marcasite

Secret_Ad_7878 Report

#21

Found This At A Garage Sale…

Found This At A Garage Sale…

Answer: For opening a soft boiled egg

ThatguyGaming42 Report

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Ban-One
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember having these at home. Didn't really open the eggs nicely. Just crack them by hitting them with a spoon on top. Worked fine. But these worked nice as a torture device though.

JB
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"it's the latest craze, the ladies love it! I take my machine here, I take your little thing, I put it through this hole, and then... I nip the tip!"

Megan Curl
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have one of these! There are pointed triangular edges within the circle (you can see the edge of one at 9 o’clock) that pull inward when you squeeze the two finger holes together and retract when you let go. It cuts through the top of a boiled egg which you can then pull off.

Riley Quinn
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's another kitchen gadget that's more of a waste of time than functional. In the time it takes to find it amongst all the other stuff in the drawer, you could've just tapped the egg with a spoon and been done with breakfast.

Alison Hobbs
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've got one in my cutlery drawer. I never use it but keep it "just in case"

dan gerene
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a fat stogie trimmer, for one that's big and round, that gets the slobbered end off of the one you found. Signed: King of the Road

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

Americans tend not to know about these nor boiled egg holders. I also think it’s more British than European, as many Dutch don’t know of them either. Oddly, they’re not uncommon in Hawaii. Here’s the one I have: NEWLINE NY 5 PCS - 4 Spring Wire Egg Cup Holders and 1 Stainless Steel Topper Opener Set https://a.co/d/cj0lUAc

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There is a somewhat hidden benefit as well. Uncertainty does often leave us feeling stressed. Some psychologists believe it's even the root of much suffering, albeit often buried behind multiple other stressors. So being able to resolve these little mysteries, one at a time, might be doing us all some good.

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#22

Hanging On The Wall At My Parents House

Hanging On The Wall At My Parents House

Answer: Definitely egg cups and egg timer

Intelligent_Tub Report

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KB
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am going to make a huge assumption that this is in an American home, because if the internet has taught me anything, it's that Americans don't use egg cups

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#23

Is This A Bullet Hole?

Is This A Bullet Hole?

Answer: Looks like a high-speed impact punched through, so yeah it might be a bullet. If you can fit your INDEX finger in the hole, you are talking about a large caliber bullet. Look around in the trunk and see if you can find it or fragments of it

colinfox0 Report

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WindySwede
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OP on reddit: "Police just left. We found the slug underneath the spare tire. No real damage done other than the hole and some cosmetic damage in the trunk. Police said it looked like a .45"

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#24

What Is This At My New Desk

What Is This At My New Desk

Answer: That is a panic button 

sleepyandsad Report

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David
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So reading the original thread - that red thing is not the button. It is an indicator that the button has been tripped. The button is underneath. The two holes are for a pronged reset tool. I wondered why the panic button would be sticking out like that where it was likely to get accidentally bumped.

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Indeed, some research suggests that the old cliche of preferring the “devil you know versus the devil you don’t” has some basis in reality. Resolving a stressful situation, even if the resolution is negative, has been found to reduce stress levels relative to the stress the situation would cause in the first place. 

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#25

My Mom Found This By Her Pool Gate

My Mom Found This By Her Pool Gate

Answer: It’s a holder for a cigarette. Theres usually a ring at the bottom. I own one. The flower opens and the beads slide up to keep the cigarette in place

bacontacos420 Report

#26

Saw This While Disc Golfing. What Is It?

Saw This While Disc Golfing. What Is It?

Answer: It’s a slimemould

LeeAmazon Report

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Stephanie Did It
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I shall call him Squishy and he shall be mine and he shall be my Squishy. Come on, Squishy. Come on, little Squishy.

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#27

This Was Put Up In The Laundry Room

This Was Put Up In The Laundry Room

Answer: It’s a trail camera. Takes pictures when it detects motion

Zerriphan Report

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

uhmmm... this is a bit concerning. Does the poster at least know who put it up?

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#28

Saw This At A Yard Sale Yesterday. Daughter Wanted It For Some Reason. We Don’t Have A Clue What It Could Be

Saw This At A Yard Sale Yesterday. Daughter Wanted It For Some Reason. We Don’t Have A Clue What It Could Be

Answer: Looks like a saloon door spice rack

meangreene_ Report

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#29

What Are These Dots On My 2018 Atoyot For?

What Are These Dots On My 2018 Atoyot For?

Answer: This is a marking by the manufacturer to indicate internal information about the window

roro999999999 Report

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#30

What Is This Out On Lake Michigan?

What Is This Out On Lake Michigan?

Answer: It is called a "crib". They collect water and then water flows via gravity below the lake to the city's water filtration plants

marglebubble Report

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Mark (it/urgh)
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I watched a thing on YouTube about a guy diving who got sucked into a pipe and deposited into a nearby nuclear plants cooling pool. He was OK but bloody hell, fck that.

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#31

I Inhereted This Decades Ago. What Is It?

I Inhereted This Decades Ago. What Is It?

Answer: Coal scuttle/portable heater

space_jumper Report

#32

My Home Was Built In 1986. This Is On The Side Of The Upper Kitchen Cabinet. The Lid Comes Off. What Is It?

My Home Was Built In 1986. This Is On The Side Of The Upper Kitchen Cabinet. The Lid Comes Off. What Is It?

Answer: a paper cup holder

Mission-College-7784 Report

#33

Seen In A Boathouse In The Pacific Northwest

Seen In A Boathouse In The Pacific Northwest

Answer: makeshift urinal

B-Cerre-us Report

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David
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a voice tube like on old timey ships. Go ahead and stick your face in it and yell, "Can you smell me now?" /S

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#34

Found At A Garage Sale. No One Knows What It Is

Found At A Garage Sale. No One Knows What It Is

Answer: Indian brass bud vase

MistakePitiful7105 Report

#35

Found This In The Road Near My Car? Any Clue?

Found This In The Road Near My Car? Any Clue?

Answer: Bottle capper

Outrageous_Ad6384 Report

#36

Found Outside A Restaurant Approximately 25 Years Ago. The Pieces Don't Move

Found Outside A Restaurant Approximately 25 Years Ago. The Pieces Don't Move

Answer: Eyelet for a fishing pole

flatearthnunchuck Report

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#37

Found On Hotel Room Floor, What The Heck Is It?

Found On Hotel Room Floor, What The Heck Is It?

Answer: Looks like a blackhead removal tool

jayboy120 Report

#38

Dog Found This In My Backyard. I'm In A Largely Residential Neighborhood. Its Hard Plastic Not Soft Like A Shotgun Shell. Bottom Only Has That Small Piece Of Metal Not The Whole End. About 2.5inch Long

Dog Found This In My Backyard. I'm In A Largely Residential Neighborhood. Its Hard Plastic Not Soft Like A Shotgun Shell. Bottom Only Has That Small Piece Of Metal Not The Whole End. About 2.5inch Long

Answer: Looks like percussion cap for a hole puncher tool

waf_67 Report

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WindySwede
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reddit: "In some concrete work when your trying to anchor to concrete you use a tool that has a 12 gauge shell similar to that with a .22 percussion cap that you use a hammer on and it blasts the anchor into the concrete"

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#39

Any Idea What This Is?

Any Idea What This Is?

Answer: it's a dreidel. A 4-sided toy marked with Hebrew letters and spun like a top in a game of chance

Automatic-Happy Report

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SkyDragonAerial (Aro/Ace, Cassgender)
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No it isn't. Dreidels usually don't have numbers, and those look like English letters to me. I'd say plumb bob myself.

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#40

What Is This Thing In My New Apartment? Staff Have No Idea Either

What Is This Thing In My New Apartment? Staff Have No Idea Either

Answer: Kinda looks like a doorbell chime

k9bound Report

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pat hayes
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i am really surprised at how many of these common items are not recognizable to the younger folks🤔..... just shows how bloody old i am!😂

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#41

These Wires Are In Every Room Of The Place I’m Moving To, What Are They For?

These Wires Are In Every Room Of The Place I’m Moving To, What Are They For?

Answer: coax cable

HovaPrime Report

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

_Now_ I feel old. Seems like only yesterday that I was still messing about with these for my satellite TV in several rooms. Some technologies get old much more quickly than others.

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#42

Does Anyone Know What The Heck These Things Are Attached To These Dead Trees?

Does Anyone Know What The Heck These Things Are Attached To These Dead Trees?

Answer: It's a moisture indicator. I'm assuming, some mix of goodies that gets darker as it dries out

Aliveguy2021 Report

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Mario Strada
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's an eye. Someone said "Bob, keep an eye on this thing for me". Bob, ever faithful but slightly lazy, just nailed his eyeball to it. Could have happened.

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