17 Mysterious Objects That Turned Out to Be Something Entirely Different Than They Seem

Humanity has created billions of various things and objects. Sometimes, each of us comes across a certain item and wonders, «What is this and what is it for?» Various thoughts come to mind, but uncovering the truth is aided by the internet and its active users.

’’I bought a big pack of groceries from a local supermarket; they threw in this item for free.’’

• It’s an orange peeler. © MIViking / Reddit

«Found it near my kitchen sink. It makes me slightly uncomfortable.What is this thing?»

• It is used kind of like a keyring on certain measuring spoons or measuring cups. © brock_lee / Reddit

“This chain inside my door? It connects the door to the frame and can easily just be pulled out of the door.”

• It’s a concealed door closer (and it’s broken). © sjhill / Reddit

“My friend found this on her coffee table. It’s made of metal and bracelet sized. But no closure to put on.”

• It’s a tie chain. Little loop hangs in a button of the dress shirt and the tie goes thought the chain. It prevents the tie from moving around too much. © adamhughey / Reddit

“Small plastic spoons with brown substance, individually packaged and found in a public park. What is it?”

• Tamarind spoon. You have Hispanics in the neighborhood would be my guess. © ape_on_lucy / Reddit

“Scissors with weird angle. What is the use of this?”

• To cut candle wicks. © Master_Chipmunk / Reddit

“What could it be?”

• Pretty sure that’s a baby rattle, but the bells were removed. © Crafty-Shape2743 / Reddit

“It has apparently been in the family for 80 years. Any help identifying this would be great!”

• Part of a Prussian soldier’s kit to hold a small amount of ground coffee. © hekla7 / Reddit

“Small black ceramic dish with 3 holes in center”

• It’s a soap dish. It’s sitting on our downstairs bathroom sink right now. © Garth_AIgar / Reddit

“From my grandparents. Does anyone have ideas?”

• It’s a sugar scuttle. © savanthebride / Reddit
• My mom always used this for mixed nuts, then people’s hands don’t touch the nuts, just the little scoop. © Fickle-Friendship-31 / Reddit

“Promo item I received for free at a Christmas Fair. It is the size of my hand, the white top screws on and off and the red bag part expands and is pretty thick.”

• You fill it with ice and use it for bruises / knee pain like you would a bag of frozen peas. © OODA_Loops / Reddit

“I got this from my grandmother and have no idea what it is. It’s pretty darn heavy and has what looks to be a little stone in the middle. Also, there are Chinese characters on the bottom.”

• These are called chops — it’s a way of signing your name, still used for legal documents in some places. There is a street in Hong Kong where you can have them made while you wait. Cool piece. © brasskat / Reddit

“What is the small tub for next to the big jetted tub? It has no drain and no faucet.”

• I’m thinking it is/was a spot for an artificial plant. The rest of the aesthetic seems just right for the time when designers thought that was a good idea. © Fyrefrog25 / Reddit

“A silver spoon with ‘top’ part?”

• Seems to be a medicine spoon. © vtosnaks / Reddit

“What is this thing received by a family member as a Christmas gift? Top half silver, bottom half wood.”

• Victorian nail buffer. © hyperdreamz / Reddit

“A transparent plastic thing with a hinged lid that opens up and a ridged cylinder that spins inside. Found in an old office space.”

• A paper clip dispenser! That’s incredibly boring, but also I am so glad to have the answer. © BeachPigeon / Reddit

«What’s this thing I saw?»

• I believe it’s a Kegel-cisor. © Appalachian_American / Reddit
• Oh my god! I just saw this same item yesterday. In the box too! Only way I knew what it was. © CentralGardens / Reddit

We love such puzzles. It’s a chance to test our intuition and learn something new. If you also enjoy this, here’s another collection of mysterious things.