this post was submitted on 06 Oct 2024
70 points (96.1% liked)

What is this thing?

5546 readers
1 users here now

Let us help you identify that mysterious object you’ve found.

Currently in CHALLENGE mode: If you've got something obscure knocking about, post a picture, and let's see how we do. Please prefix such posts with "CHALLENGE:" so we know we've got a fighting chance.

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 
top 22 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 28 points 1 month ago (2 children)

The metal part looks like a piece of scaffolding pipe, and the yellow part looks like a sleeve to put it over another piece of pipe. With the rounded end, it could be a safety piece for the end of some scaffolding or a fence, so that there's less chance of injury if someone walks into it.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 month ago

This seems believable. There's fencing all over the area and it's in rough shape in places.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

I don't remember where I've seen one before, but I'm pretty sure it's the metal end that is inserted into another pipe, thereby making a visible yellow concrete end.

[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Cylindrical is a word, too.

[–] XeroxCool 8 points 1 month ago

Yes bur "cylindrical with a domed top with length:width proportions approximately between 1:1 and 4:1" is more words than "phallic"

[–] hOrni 22 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Depends on how brave You are.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 month ago

And how horny.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 month ago (1 children)

This looks like a portion of a plastic-covered concrete filled bollard, something like this.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

It does except it's only about 6" long.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

That's why I said a portion of one, I'm fairly sure that's the top six inches or so that got broken off. What's the bottom look like?

EDIT: A comment or above saying gate post might also very well be right. Whatever specifically, my guess stands on it being some kind of post of some sort.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

It's hollow but the whole thing is only 1" in diameter...

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

Honestly I'd go with gate or fence post then, something like that

[–] Vinny_93 12 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Approximate size? It kind of looks like it might be the casing to a light explosive that you set off like a match stick. We call them 'strijkers' in the Netherlands. Only difference is the bigger underside there.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Roughly 6 inches or 15 cm. I thought it was an unexploded firework from a distance but it looks like it's made of steel and plastic. For context, it was (and still is afaik) laying on the edge of the parking lot of a dog park near a small airport.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 month ago

I don't know where you are, but if your local PD has a slow line then you might try calling that and describe it to them. I say to use the slow line because it could be nothing and it's probably not an emergency as long as no one's fucking with it; but if there's a possibility that it might be explosive then someone should check it out.

[–] Vinny_93 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I can't really see it being anything other than a casing of some sort. Considering the shape, size and materials it would have to be something pressurised, maybe a gas. This is not typically what nitrous tanks look like (the ones people are doing in traffic for a laugh oh my god what has happened to this world). I've seen some applications of drugs but this does not look like any of them. So as far as I can tell it's either going to be something to do with construction or it's something very specific to either dogs or aviation.

Edit: considering the car park, could it be like a shell one would put on the longer end of a spark plug? They usually come in boxes without cases or shells but maybe a very particular one has this as a protective cover and someone has been fiddling with their vehicle there?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago

Not spark plug related. Way too big, and it looks to me like the ends are made of concrete. You can see the aggregate exposed by the chipping, especially on the large end.

I'm going to go with a post on which a chain link fence gate swings. This would sit in a hole in a concrete pad, the gate would have a metal loop that goes over it near the ground, and a second similar hinge piece on top that affixes to the fence.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 month ago

This is a dildo from the Iron age.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 month ago

Hmm, my first thought is that it's the end piece of a "concrete vibrator". Not typically used for sexual pleasure, but rather for consolidating fresh concrete while building.

Bit weird, though, that it's so comparatively short and has that yellow, wider section. That seems like it would have concrete stuck on it all the time...

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA 5 points 1 month ago

Fertility idol

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

There wouldnt happen to be (or recently had been) an older chain link fence nearby?

[–] TammyTobacco 3 points 1 month ago

Looks like a broken garden tool