16 Items That Are So Unusual It’s Hard to Guess What They’re Used For

When we were little, it was adults who would answer our endless “What is this thing?” questions. Now, when we see something unknown, we will likely ask this question on the internet in pursuit of the answer.

The characters of this compilation from Bright Side did the same. They posted photos of their finds on Reddit and satisfied their curiosity.

1. “Mom asked me to ask what this thing is.”

Answer: It’s a blade holder for a slap chop.

2. “I ordered solder flux but got this instead from Amazon. What is it?”

Answer: They sent you corner protectors for ratchet straps.

3. “Found this under my bathroom sink.”

Answer: Those styles of clips are often used with a metal or wooden stake as plant support — especially for orchids.

4. “Does anyone know what this unusual cup from Japan is for?”

Answer: It’s a sugar dish. It is called a sugar scuttle (or scuttle) because it is in the shape of a miniature coal-scuttle, the lumps of sugar resemble lumps of coal, in shape if not color.

5. “Found in my grandfather’s house.”

Answer: This is an attachment kit for a sewing machine, late 1800s

6. “What are these aluminum pieces? They have been in my high school’s robotics room for years and no one has any idea what they are for. ”

Answer: They’re corner connectors for C-channels.

7. “What is this wooden tool?”

Answer: That’s a rice mold. It makes the dish serving more beautiful.

8. “Thing my boyfriend got with his new phone case.”

Answer: It’s to wrap up headphones or the charger.

9. “An older man came up to me and said, ‘Nice ink. I know what those are,’ and walked away. Is there a meaning behind these?”

Answer: A lot of the imagery with the moons looks pretty similar.

10. “What is this strange-looking piece of furniture for?”

Answer: This is an ergonomic kneeling chair.

11. “Unknown object from the ’50s”

Answer: It’s an old knife sharpener.

12. “Staying at a rented apartment, why does the vent have a green light inside it?”

Answer: It’s likely that it could be a UV-C sterilization lamp. Kills germs/viruses as they pass by. Also, can help prevent mold and whatnot from building up on the coil.

13. “What is this metal thing with what seems like a handle at the top?”

Answer: It’s a firewood carrier.

14. “Seen built into the counter of a kitchen in a high-end home. What is this item used for?”

Answer: It’s an electric hot water bath/double boiler.

15. “Found in an elderly woman’s bathroom. 6 pieces stacked. Hole in the bottom. Have no idea what it’s for.”

Answer: You can water house plants with it.

16. “This is a steel wire frame with 2 glass marbles. It was found in an old garage among various stuff.”

Answer: It’s a razor blade sharpener.

Have you ever come across items that were so unusual you couldn’t guess their purpose?