# Can you identify this object? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 18, 2005, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121 "2005-12-18T02:13:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/1 "2005-12-18T02:13:22Z")
[View one](http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-1/584173/IM001279.JPG) [View two](http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-1/584173/IM001280.JPG) I know what it is. What do you think it is? The part attached to the center pivots from the position in View one all the way around to the position in View two, but it doesn’t go around 360 degrees. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/2 "2005-12-18T05:16:57Z")
It’s a dildo for robots. Why do you ask? ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/3 "2005-12-18T05:46:35Z")
In a pinch, it’s a beer bottle opener. ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/4 "2005-12-18T06:04:25Z")
Without knowing the scale of the item, I’m going to guess it’s used to turn on lights in some kind of public or office building. My husband has a similar looking tool on his work keys (without the swivel part) to turn on the lights in the university student center. It fits into a little socket in the switch plate and then works as the switch, so only those authorized can turn the lights on and off. That’s my guess, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/5 "2005-12-18T15:09:54Z")
Size: 3.75" ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/6 "2005-12-18T15:24:14Z")
I know what it’s not. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/7 "2005-12-18T15:42:26Z")
I got this several years ago in a former job. It’s purpose, while it makes sense, is essentially overkill. AFAIK, it never caught on. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/8 "2005-12-18T16:02:36Z")
It’s a single-leaf ergonomic lettuce server. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/9 "2005-12-18T16:27:45Z")
It looks to be a tool to help install something. Nothing too heavy, but hard to get to. Probably electronics. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/10 "2005-12-18T16:45:29Z")
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen one of these before but I can’t remember where. AIGGGHHHHHHHH! Though a dildo for robots was my second guess. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/11 "2005-12-18T17:08:11Z")
Clue: it is not a tool in the sense that it used to repair or adjust something. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Krebbs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5fc32e/32.png) [@Mr.Krebbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Krebbs)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/12 "2005-12-18T19:14:41Z")
A question, if I may: is it a tool to disassemble something in order to clean it? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/13 "2005-12-18T19:24:31Z")
> [@Mr. Krebbs](#): > > A question, if I may: is it a tool to disassemble something in order to clean it? Nope. At least, that’s not it purpose. It performs a function that doesn’t necessarily need to be performed. That’s why I don’t think it ever caught on. They are other ways (some free and some much cheaper - this thing was to have cost about $1.50 each) to perform the same function. ---
**Author:** ![Tevildo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Tevildo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tevildo)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/14 "2005-12-18T20:52:40Z")
Hmm. Is it to assist in tying knots of some kind? Lacing up a cable loom, for instance? ---
**Author:** ![Mbossa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@Mbossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mbossa)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/15 "2005-12-18T20:52:47Z")
A peanut sheller? Some kind of fruit corer? Something to do with the preparation of food? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/16 "2005-12-18T20:54:04Z")
> [@Tevildo](#): > > Hmm. Is it to assist in tying knots of some kind? Lacing up a cable loom, for instance? You’re in the ballpark. It’s related to one of your guesses. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/17 "2005-12-18T20:55:27Z")
> [@Mbossa](#): > > A peanut sheller? Some kind of fruit corer? Something to do with the preparation of food? No, no, and no. ---
**Author:** ![Tevildo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Tevildo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tevildo)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/18 "2005-12-18T21:00:24Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > You’re in the ballpark. It’s related to one of your guesses. Is it a tool for uniform-wearers of one sort or another to ensure their shoelaces are tied _exactly_ to specification? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/19 "2005-12-18T21:04:45Z")
> [@Tevildo](#): > > Is it a tool for uniform-wearers of one sort or another to ensure their shoelaces are tied _exactly_ to specification? That’s too specific. Think in much more general terms. I can tell you it’s not clothing related. ---
**Author:** ![Mbossa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@Mbossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mbossa)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2005, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/20 "2005-12-18T21:45:25Z")
> [@](#): > > The part attached to the center pivots from the position in View one all the way around to the position in View two, but it doesn’t go around 360 degrees. From the point of view of the camera, between View 1 and View 2, did the attached part (closest to the camera) rotate clockwise (all the way around past the rectangular bit) or counterclockwise (over the gap of the forky bit)? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121.md?page=2)