We usually think we’ve seen a little bit of everything. However, sometimes we come across unfamiliar objects, the kind we ask friends about or do a simple search on the internet, but nothing seems to provide the answer as to what they are or what they’re for. However, it’s unlikely that there isn’t a single person in the world who knows what such an item is for. It’s at times like these that we turn to the “detectives” of the digital world.
1. “Promotional item I received for free at a Christmas fair. It’s about the size of my hand, the white top screws on, and the red part of the bag expands and is quite thick.”
Answer : This looks like a mini bag to put hot or cold water in for headaches or injuries.
2. “What are those little bowls with holes in the bottom?”
Answer : They look like pots where you would put succulents.
3. “What is that spinning gold thing? It’s about 2 to 3 inches long and appears to have designs on each side.”
Answer : It is a letter stamp.
4. “Solid-feeling balls that vibrate and jingle at a low pitch when you shake them”
Answer : They are stress and concentration balls.
5. “I bought a house with this glass structure in the backyard. I have no idea what it is.”
Answer : Mini greenhouse. Just put up some shelves and use them to plant seedlings in a cold-free environment. Then you can put some tomato plants in there.
6. “What is this little piece of leather with adjustable straps and buckles?”
Answer : My wife had something similar. It’s a boot decoration that you can take off and change whenever you want.
7. “Small ceramic bowl with three small cones in the middle”
Answer : It is for Japanese style flower arrangements. The flowers go in the tubes and the rest is filled with water, usually with smooth stones, or perhaps a small turtle or frog sculpture.
8. “This cubicle is in the kitchen, the house dates back to the 1950s”
Answer : This is a niche to place the phone.
9. “A metal thing with a sharp bendable tip. I found this in the kitchen; it’s really small.”
Answer : It’s a can opener.
10. “What is that device near the ceiling of my living room? It’s a white box with a circuit board inside.”
Answer: It is a security system siren.
11. “Colorful rubber keys on a string”
Answer : They are elastics for orthodontic appliances.
12. What is this flat spoon with a jagged edge?
Answer : A spoon for serving cucumber.
13. “A friend bought this for me on his recent trip to Indonesia. Dome shaped top, has 5 holes and a sealed bottom.”
Answer : It is definitely a vase with several holes to arrange flowers.
14. “Two black plastic pieces, one with a handle and the second shaped like a bowl with rows of holes; the first piece fits inside the second. Found in the kitchen.”
Answer : It is used to shape hamburger meat.
15. “Wooden object, possibly with ivory inlays, which unfolds into layers”
Answer : It is a serving tray.
If there’s one place where it’s easy to find items whose use we don’t know about, it’s in the kitchen. Some of these objects, even the most renowned chefs would be unsure how to use when preparing that perfect dish.