From rainbow pyramids to green-glowing gadgets, the internet is never short on mystery when it comes to weird items people stumble upon. Prepare to scratch your head, overthink the obvious, or simply laugh along with these brilliantly quirky discoveries that left folks everywhere delightfully confused!
“What is this thing we got in white elephant? It is plastic, blue, and the circle thing fits in the palm of my hand.”
Wait, did we just score a prop from a sci-fi movie at White Elephant? Is this futuristic kitchenware, or the key to a plastic asteroid? Either way, it feels like something children would wield during backyard adventures. Maybe it’s a spaceship, or maybe it’s the missing part to some elaborate modern game. The mystery just adds to its charm.They are seat adjustment handles for a Jeep Wrangler.
“Rubber purple thing that came in the same delivery bag as Advil?”
Um, did this purple thing hitch a ride with my Advil on accident, or is it actually an official part of the delivery? Part candy wrapper, part rubbery wristband—totally uncertain. Honestly, it looks like something you’d hand out at a late-night pharmacy rave. Is there a secret code I’m missing here?
People believe it is a reusable grip that goes around pill bottles to make it easier to open.
“My cats collected about 100 of these in my apartment? Small, very thin and flimsy black hooks made of plastic. A little larger than a quarter in length, with a ball at the end.”
Why are my cats obsessed with these tiny black hooks? Suddenly, my floor is peppered with these mysterious plastic relics, and no, they are not edible treats. Pretty sure these little menaces multiply when I turn my back. Do they have a secret society under the couch?
They are hairbrush bristles!
“Metal box with metal shaving samples, found in trunk of car. It’s about the width/length of two iPhones.”
Well, this looks surprisingly official for something abandoned in a car trunk. Shiny metal box, perfectly stacked mystery samples—perhaps a tiny scientist left their laboratory starter kit behind? You know it’s serious when it even has compartments. My garage just leveled up in industrial chic.
It is an emergency fire-starter kit with magnesium.
“What is this thing that was served alongside cutlery at a cafe? It is made of metal and is really quite long.”
You know it’s a chic café when your cutlery comes with mysterious metal companions. Is this an avant-garde stirrer, or are we about to perform some secret ritual with our soup? It gives major wizard-wand energy. Coffee orders might just come with a spell today.
"I'm fairly certain it's
“In Oregon: Large, metal frame and cylinder, found in wilderness near hiking trail”
So, I guess Oregon’s wilderness has its own brand of avant-garde art installations? Or is this metal frame and cylinder a secret for hikers to discover? You half expect it to be a portal—stand in the right spot, say the magic words, and—bam—you’re home for dinner.
Online, people identified it as a water meter.
“It's a reflective film that has a rubbery bounce when I press my finger into it. I assume it's some sort of lighting but I can't find any wires or switches attached to it.”
The ceiling’s reflection caught me off guard—am I living in an upside-down world, or did I just unlock a new level of kitchen inception? Who needs mirrors when you can reflect an entire countertop and bowl of cereal? Morning confusion is now guaranteed.
This is a stretchable PVC ceiling film that is used for a variety of reasons.
“Found this electronic thing in my new homes kitchen. Size of a smartphone and always emits green light.”
I just moved in, and the kitchen came with this glowing green mystery. It hums gently, always watching, always on. Should I be worried, or just appreciate my new nightlight? At the very least, it has that ‘secret lab’ ambiance down pat. Alexa, is this how sci-fi movies start?
According to users online, this is a gas sensor.
“What is this metal bucket hanging under a midsize SUV in Eastern Canada? It wasn't fixed in place - it would swing side to side as the vehicle turned.”
Spotted on a Canadian SUV: a metal bucket just swinging in the breeze. Is this next-gen fuel efficiency or the world’s most portable tailgate grill? It wobbles with such confidence that you almost think it’s supposed to be there. Road trip, but make it mysterious.
Most people online seemed to think it was used to catch grease.
“Small white disc or tip on bottom of doors”
Well, my doors have sprouted tiny white hats, and they look 100% unfazed about it. Functional, fashionable—or just a home’s equivalent of an earring? It’s understated, yet it has potential to be the next interior design trend. ‘Minimalist disc on bottom of door’—coming soon to Pinterest.According to one user, "It's meant to keep the door square in the frame during shipping, and is meant to be taken off during installation."
“Plastic pyramid-like things, different shapes. Hollow inside. Came with a donation of card-making supplies.”
If geometry ever ran wild at a carnival, I think this is what you'd find: plastic, colorful pyramids standing at attention. They practically beg to be stacked or toppled over. Gift with card-making supplies? Clearly, someone wanted craft night to get intense (and maybe a little competitive).
These are border buddies, used for paper quilling.
“Very heavy (lead?) acorn shaped metal pieces. Cleaning up the back of a car garage. Came with T-shaped tool. 40+ years old.”
Heavy, acorn-shaped metal pieces? Now my garage is a treasure trove of ancient weights (or maybe early maraca prototypes). The matching T-shaped tool adds a dash of intrigue. I guess if you ever need to anchor something—or ward off pirates—you’re totally set.
While there was no definitive answer, most seemed to think that they are