Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Explain Which Items Can Actually Be Used For A Different Purpose Than Intended

People Explain Which Items Can Actually Be Used For A Different Purpose Than Intended
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Multi-purpose and multi-task are the only the way. The new cornerstone of invention are items that can be used any which way you please. The way to design something can have a hidden meaning you never realized. Like, I'm sure the people who created the Snickers bar were just thinking about fun tasting craziness. They didn't know a Snickers bar, after a breakup.... could save lives.

Redditor u/HoldThisBeer wanted to know about all the treasures of multi-purpose by asking:

What's an item that can be used for a totally different purpose than it's originally meant for?

I use almost everything as a double resource. Pens are also era picks. Toothbrushes (Old) are razor scarpers and Adele is for sad AND happy times. Who can relate?

Smash

Season 4 Nbc GIF by Good GirlsGiphy

"A hammer can be used for a window opener."

- Evi1_Panda81

"Only once."

- GreatJanitor

Strung Out

"Silly string is used to detect bombs, since it sticks to the tripwire and makes it visible, while being light enough not to trigger it."

- Blooder91

"The juxtaposition of shaking a can of fun party string, to detect a life-altering string. I can only imagine the situation would have me enter a manic laugh."

- Awisemanoncsaid

Lead Ways

"You can use a pencil to rewind a cassette tape."

- boulomai_mathein

"Amen! Who would try to rw, or ff a cassette tape without having a cap to grab the gears?!? Pencils... PSHAW!!!"

- mike_e_mcgee

Scratched

"The corner of a wall to scratch your back, much like bears do on a tree. A blessing to those of us cursed with short/inflexible limbs."

- Silverback62

"I've been pushing my back against wall corners recently to massage my upper back and shoulder. It's the only way I can reach that spot while also applying enough pressure to relieve the muscle stiffness."

- H0lyThr0wawayBatman

So Many Things

justin long film GIFGiphy

"Ask a mechanic they all say a wrench is everything. Need a hammer? Wrench. Need a tool to pry something off? Wrench. Need a murder weapon? Wrench. Best thing to ever exist."

- ResidentDurian9845

Well, I feel educated. I need to test some of these theories. I have a ton of this laying around already. Let's learn more...

Face Stuff

Billy Crystal Crying GIF by MOODMANGiphy

"Facial tissue, Kleenex in particular, was invented to remove theatrical makeup."

- rosanymphae

Firestarter

"Potato crisps are perfect to start a fire when you have no tinder. They're so greasy that they burn really well. Same goes for tampons if you pull them apart a little. They also come packaged in waterproof plastic so even when it rains you always got some dry tinder material. If you go camping it's a good addition to your gear even if you're a guy."

- Heiminator

Clean it Up

"Vinegar is good for so many things. My grandmother always used it for cleaning and all my cousins and I have spray bottles filled with equal parts vinegar and water that we use for cleaning. It can also be helpful in getting rid of candlewax, or a natural weed killer, among other things. You can use apple cider vinegar to prevent fleas on your pets but I haven't actually done this, just have a friend who does it."

- DTownForever

Pour it In

"Pour melted wax into an egg carton packed with sawdust and let it cool and harden. Cut each 'egg' into quarters and store them. Take them camping with you or when hiking. A source of fire, and it'll burn continuously, letting you have plenty of time to build a fire with sticks in an emergency situation. I tested it with my bro. A quarter burned for like 15mins, outside in the rain."

"Might be silly, but it weighs nothing and have nothing to lose to have one on you. Addendum: if you're going to make this, make sure you do a test run. Outside, light with match or something. Nothing worse than placing false confidence into a survival item and it not actually working when it counts. I also heard you can pour cooling down wax over individual matches to make them more weather proof, but I never tried this."

- Someone_Who_Cared

Open Up

the lord of lightning vs balrog GIF by King Gizzard & The Lizard WizardGiphy

"Lighter as a bottle opener. Although you can use pretty much everything as a bottle opener."

- MainAdhesiveness2281

I can always use another bottle opener. And I do like lighters. I feel so enlightened about things and their purposes. And now I'm gonna go clean with my vinegar.

Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

TikToker @queenbaard, also known as Ash, reacts in her viral Storytime video about being hired to pose as a witch.
@queenbaard/TikTok

TikToker Recounts How Scorned Woman Hired Her To Pretend To Be A Witch To Get Back At Her Ex-Husband

Halloween arrived early in this absolutely unhinged Storytime courtesy of TikToker @queenbaard, aka Ash. And yes, this one involves revenge, a deck of cards, and The Cheesecake Factory.

In a video that’s racked up more than 2.5 million views, Ash recounts the time a middle-aged woman hired her to pretend to be a witch and deliver a “sh*tty prophecy” to her ex-husband—specifically to sabotage his shiny new relationship.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nazghul the wolfdog at Women's Cross-Country Team Sprint
E! News/YouTube

Wolfdog Crashes Olympic Cross-Country Skiing Event Finish Line—And Instantly Steals The Internet's Heart

With the Olympics being the spectacle that it is, you never know what you're going to get!

At this year's Winter Olympics, for instance, a wolfdog named Nazghul crashed the party by running onto the track during the Women's Cross-Country Team Sprint between Team Croatia and Team Australia.

Keep ReadingShow less
Images from police bodycam footage of University of Iowa fraternity hazing
@TimothyJones92/X

Bodycam Footage Of Cops Discovering Bizarre Hazing Ritual In Basement Of Frat House Has The Internet Creeped Out

Disturbing video footage of a University of Iowa fraternity hazing ritual has gone viral after local authorities released police bodycam footage.

The videos show a bizarre and discomfiting scene of 56 mostly shirtless students pledging the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity seemingly confined in a filthy basement.

Keep ReadingShow less
JD Vance
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

JD Vance Slammed For His Comically Evil Laugh After Fox Host Asks Him About Running For President In 2028

On Tuesday, MAGA Republican Vice President JD Vance appeared on Fox News' The Story with Martha MacCallum. During the segment, Vance was asked about his future plans.

MacCallum played a clip of President Donald Trump calling Vance "fantastic," but also praising the "great job" Secretary of State Marco Rubio is doing. The Fox host then asked the VP if he wished Trump would would endorse him for President over Rubio.

Keep ReadingShow less
Meghan McCain
Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Meghan McCain Mocked For Seemingly Just Realizing That MAGA Wants Women To Stay Home And Raise Kids

Former The View co-host Meghan McCain was widely mocked after complaining about MAGA conservatives' "harsh views" about women who don't want children—prompting many to wonder if she's been paying any attention at all.

McCain's remarks come as conservatives increasingly encourage women, particularly younger women, to prioritize motherhood. Several women tied to the administration, including Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Katie Miller—wife of Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller—and Second Lady Usha Vance, have recently spoken publicly about their pregnancies.

Keep ReadingShow less