/r/WITT_FAT
WhatIsThisThing Frequently Asked Things
This is the WhatIsThisThing Frequently Asked Things (FAT) subreddit.
Here you will find items that are commonly asked about in WhatIsThisThing.
Please search or browse for your thing before posting to WhatIsThisThing.
If you do not find what you are looking for here, then submit to the WhatIsThisThing Main Sub. After having reviewed the guidelines.
Thank you.
/r/WITT_FAT
18,297 Subscribers
47
That plastic (or sometimes wood) thing with a "V" groove and a sharp blade, that you found attached to the bottom of one of your kitchen cabinets, is a handy jar and bottle opener.
1 Comment
2023/12/31
20:10 UTC
20:10 UTC
84
That rack on the back of your church pew is for holding communion cups.
0 Comments
2023/12/03
06:45 UTC
06:45 UTC
119
The clip-like object on a wall with a marble inside is an Amish "magic marble" towel holder.
0 Comments
2023/11/20
18:12 UTC
18:12 UTC
65
That pole you saw with a barrel shaped thing on the top, often either above a traffic light or street light; or even standing on its own, is a small cellular antenna, probably as part of the expanding 5G network
1 Comment
2023/11/05
15:56 UTC
15:56 UTC
149
SpaceX Starlink satellites. A strange string of bright lights forming a straight line in the sky. Often described as point like Christmas lights moving in unison across the sky. Commonly seen at night but can appear at other times.
1 Comment
2023/09/15
12:34 UTC
12:34 UTC
48
Rug hooking or tufting tool. A vaguely guitar/violin shaped tool, made of wood and metal. Consists of two halves which slide apart. Sliding in half moves the sharp needle/blade. Commonly found with knitting, sewing, kitchen or garden equipment. Size varies between 15 and 30 cm (6 and 12 inch) long.
1 Comment
2023/09/08
16:05 UTC
16:05 UTC
173
Those little metal scoops and accompanying items are ear cleaning tools.
0 Comments
2023/08/26
21:51 UTC
21:51 UTC
115
That device with a metal pipe and what looks like a funnel, often found high up on a kitchen or bathroom wall, is used to prevent water pressure issues in your pipes
1 Comment
2023/08/20
16:35 UTC
16:35 UTC
321
That board with sandpaper stapled to it that you got with your drawing kit is sandpaper for sharpening the point on your pencils
1 Comment
2023/05/26
04:43 UTC
04:43 UTC
275
The net stretched across a roadway is used when the utility company will be running new power lines across the road. It protects the cars and roadway in case the cable is accidentally dropped.
0 Comments
2023/05/19
17:16 UTC
17:16 UTC
128
Decomposed zinc-carbon battery/cell. Black/brown, carbon/graphite rod within a (metal) cylinder. Rectangle/square types are less common, often plastic wrapped. They range in size, can be solid or quite crumbly. Often found in the ground while digging the garden or yard.
1 Comment
2023/05/19
13:18 UTC
13:18 UTC
280
Airborne electromagnetic geophysical surveying. A (usually) low flying helicopter dangling/pulling/carrying a polygonal or tubular frame underneath. This is done to map the area for minerals, hydrocarbons (oil/gas), water, etc.
1 Comment
2023/05/18
16:53 UTC
16:53 UTC
226
Egg case/capsule of a shark, skate, ray or chimaera. A black/brown leathery/rough feeling object, found on the beach. These are also known as mermaid's purses.
1 Comment
2023/05/16
13:34 UTC
13:34 UTC
311
The repeating pattern of lines, typically in groups of 3 that you see on both sides of the lane on a highway are a reinforcement process known as a dowel bar retrofit
1 Comment
2023/05/08
16:21 UTC
16:21 UTC
135
The gray or silver half ball you found mounted to a wall is a magnetic camera mouint, most likely for Arlo brand cameras
2 Comments
2023/05/07
16:46 UTC
16:46 UTC
81
That metal device you found with hooks, a chain, and a lever may be a chain strainer
0 Comments
2023/05/06
17:30 UTC
17:30 UTC
132
That stamped metal key you may have found above a door frame in your home is an emergency release key and handle removal tool for a Shield Security privacy lock set, commonly found on bedroom or bathroom doors
0 Comments
2023/05/06
17:24 UTC
17:24 UTC
211
The small metal circle that looks like a nail head with a dimple in the top that looks like it says MAG, AGM or GMA that you found in the sidewalk, street, rock or other hard surface is a surveyor's reference point called a MAG nail.
1 Comment
2023/05/05
19:07 UTC
19:07 UTC
82
Lock bar from a folding/back locking knife. A length of metal, often vaguely F shaped, usually with a single hole about halfway along its length. Around 8 cm (3 inch) long. Maybe punctured a tyre/tire.
2 Comments
2023/05/04
13:19 UTC
13:19 UTC
119
Umbrella catch/lock/release lever. A length of curved pressed metal possibly with a metal/plastic button. Button may say "press". Around 10 cm (4 inch) long.
1 Comment
2023/04/19
08:31 UTC
08:31 UTC
193
Round plastic pieces found on the beach are water filtration biomedia
1 Comment
2023/03/19
18:51 UTC
18:51 UTC
76
The small magnetic metal cylinder with a glass top which has one or more coin cell batteries inside is a small blinking LED, aka LED blinkie
1 Comment
2023/03/11
05:37 UTC
05:37 UTC
139
Automotive key safe/locker/box. A circular hole, cavity or tunnel found on external bodywork of a car or truck. Often found on service and fleet vehicles.
1 Comment
2023/03/07
12:12 UTC
12:12 UTC
99
That metal gadget on the wall of your hotel bathroom is a bracket for a shampoo/lotion/soap container.
0 Comments
2023/01/28
14:48 UTC
14:48 UTC
160
That silicone or metal tube you found in a case is a collapsible drinking straw
1 Comment
2022/11/06
20:25 UTC
20:25 UTC
183
That small metal container with a fold-out leaf is a portable ashtray
0 Comments
2022/11/06
01:38 UTC
01:38 UTC
90
That long wooden piece with an opening in the middle and rounded ends that you found is a weaving shuttle.
1 Comment
2022/11/06
01:36 UTC
01:36 UTC
116
That metal spike you found, likely in the grass, is the base for a teardrop shaped advertising flag or banner
1 Comment
2022/08/17
22:03 UTC
22:03 UTC