Mysterious finds that made people go, ‘What is this?’

Curious about all the bizarre, puzzling, and downright hilarious things people come across in their daily lives? We’ve collected some of the web’s quirkiest photos and first reactions. Buckle up for a whirlwind tour through crunchy bananas, glowing fields, and the mysteries of the thrift store universe!

“What is this contraption I confiscated from a student?”

[deleted]/Reddit
[deleted]/Reddit

This DIY contraption has to be the result of some intense school boredom. Two pens, some tape, and a lot of ingenuity! Should I be impressed or mildly concerned? It looks like a dual-wielding writing machine ready for doodles—or a genius note-taking hack.

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“What is this sticker on my microwave?”

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Nervous_Willow4362/Reddit
Nervous_Willow4362/Reddit
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Wait, does my microwave have secret sticker instructions? I’m not sure if it’s telling me to stir my water or warning me about forbidden beverages. These cryptic icons might just save my soup from disaster—or send me straight to Google. Is it instructions, or just a really avant-garde art piece?

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This is a common warning for microwaves, reminding people not to microwave cups of water without placing a plastic spoon in the cup to prevent superheating.

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“Why does this spoon have a hole in the middle?”

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Disastrous_Pirate275/Reddit
Disastrous_Pirate275/Reddit
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My spoon seems to be missing a crucial part… hope that hole in the middle isn’t a manufacturing defect! What kind of food is this for? Maybe a trickster’s utensil, or the world’s laziest way to strain tea leaves. Either way, cereal’s officially out of the question.

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Spoons like this are often used for measuring spaghetti portions or lifting food from pots of water.

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“Saw this massive cluster of lights while flying over the Midwest (Detroit/Ohio) anyone know what it might be?””

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AzNxPiMpStA/Reddit
AzNxPiMpStA/Reddit
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Flying over the Midwest and suddenly, the land is glowing like a sci-fi movie set! What on earth could cause those neon patches? I’m half-expecting to see aliens waving back. Are those farms, factories, or a secret rave thrown by cornfields?

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“What is this? It is right next to my beach blanket on the sand.”

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Relative_Pace9433/Reddit
Relative_Pace9433/Reddit
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That’s not a pebble or seashell… What is this prehistoric-looking creature hanging out next to my beach spot? I’m officially on guard now. Did I just discover a new species or is this beach more adventurous than I thought? Either way, I’m keeping my distance from that tail.

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This curious creature is a horseshoe crab.

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“What is this animal that was in my yard?”

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Flyhighfunguy/Reddit
Flyhighfunguy/Reddit
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This little animal wandered into my yard and now I’m not sure if I should befriend it or call Animal Control. It looks like something straight out of a nature show! Is this a mole, a shrew, or a tiny backyard explorer? Either way, those paws mean business.

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People online quickly identified this animal as a star-nosed mole.

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“What is this bug? It gave me a really bad stinging sensation”

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helpingCurious/Reddit
helpingCurious/Reddit
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Yikes! I don’t know what this bug is, but the sting it gave me makes me want to avoid all mysterious fuzzies from now on. It looks soft but attacks hard—a reminder not to judge an insect by its cover. Next time, gloves and long sleeves for inspection.

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“My Vietnamese neighbor gave me this food. What is it?”

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tippytoes18/Reddit
tippytoes18/Reddit
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My neighbor gave me this mysterious Vietnamese dish and now I feel both curious and a bit intimidated. Is it dessert? Is it savory? All I know for sure is, it smells delicious but looks like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Time to taste and hope for the best!

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“Unknown. Paid $1 at the thrift store.”

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Tall-Suggestion9138/Reddit
Tall-Suggestion9138/Reddit
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This is one thrift store find that’s either a genuine treasure or just the start of a new musical journey. Guess I paid a dollar for mystery and nostalgia. Is this a collector’s item, a quirky decor piece, or some kind of ancient wind instrument? Either way, it’s a story for the mantle now.

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People online said this is a vintage ocarina.

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“What’s wrong with this banana I just bit into? It was really crunchy.”

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Unlikely_Thing_4876/Reddit
Unlikely_Thing_4876/Reddit
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How did this banana manage to be both a snack and a riddle? One bite in and I’m questioning all my fruit choices. Bananas should never be described as 'crunchy.' I’ve never second-guessed my breakfast until now. Seriously, what’s up with the dark center? I might just go for toast tomorrow.

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According to people online, this is likely a common fungus.

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“What is this in my daughter's room at her dad's?”

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war_all_human/Reddit
war_all_human/Reddit
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I would not expect to find a tiny mushroom forest sprouting in my daughter’s bedroom! My first instinct is to check for a rogue fairy garden. This definitely feels like the kind of thing you see right before calling someone for help. Mold and mushrooms in a corner are never a good sign.