13 Confusing Objects Whose Purpose Left People Thinking, “Wait a Minute...”

Whether browsing vintage shops or uncovering forgotten items in their own attics, people often stumble upon strange objects with unknown purposes. Luckily, the internet is full of curious experts eager to help identify these mysterious finds.

1. “It looks like a sock with a trunk? When you wear it, there’s an empty sock hanging off the top of your foot.”

• “Cheap version of these hand-warmer pocket socks? That kind has a sewn-on pocket, but on yours the pocket is just another tube, and currently inside-out. Tuck it in, and drop in a camping hand-warmer.” © Hepworth / Reddit

2. “Bought at thrift store. Vase that can’t be put down? Or just hanging ornament.”

• “It’s a hummingbird feeder.” © bihtydolisu / Reddit

3. “What is this red antique T-shaped Leather stool thing? Handle on top and in the middle of a formal lounge.”

• “I always thought stools like this were called gout stools. Yours is one of the many different styles and forms they came in.” © 1cat2dogs1horsу / Reddit

4. “Found at an estate sale a few years ago. Old, iron, hand forged, seems to be a fairly ornamental chain, maybe necklace?”

• “It’s an Iron Hogon Duge necklace.” © treemanthe-destroyer / Reddit

5. “Hand-held kitchen utensil. With wire and two rotating horizontal spikes.”

• “It’s a cheese cutter.” © Yosemite_Scott / Reddit

6. “Black plastic piece with an angled tip, approximately 2.5 inches long, embedded in my new Borealis winter boot.”

• “Look at the bottom of the soles. If it’s got red plastic bits, this is to flip them over. They’re spikey things to help with traction on ice, but since they’d damage floors, you want to be able to flip them over to hide the spikes.” © Winnigin / Reddit

7. “What are these medal things on the corner of these stairs and what is their purpose?”

• “They are corner dust guards. They make it easier to sweep dust out of the corners.” © jac**** / Reddit

8. “What is this black Velcro strap on the back of my backpack for?”

• “I think it’s to go around the handle of a rolling suitcase.” © wpskier / Reddit

9. “What are these blue plastic things found in public women’s bathrooms?”

• “Hair traps to stop hair getting into the drain.” © Important-Opening866 / Reddit

10. “Silver circle found in a box of jewelry at the thrift store.”

• “It’s a baby rattle/teething ring.” © ElKristy / Reddit

11. “Small wooden ruler-type foldable object with some sort of markings and letters on.”

• “That’s a sector rule! Similar in some ways to the slide rule.” © Teichopsiу / Reddit

12. “Found at a thrift shop, it opens and closes and has a little latch to keep it shut. It also has a wooden handle.”

• “That is a vintage soap saver basket.” © PrincessS****B*** / Reddit

13. “I am going to regret asking, but, any ideas on what is this lime-green thing next to the pen? It’s made of a soft, flexible material.”

• “It’s actually a thing that goes with a set of silicone measuring cups.” © migopod / Reddit

And here are even more fascinating cases where the internet’s collective brainpower came together to solve one simple yet baffling mystery: “What’s this thing for?”