# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/101 "2005-12-19T14:05:35Z")
Let’s see… I touch it on a daily basis, but probably don’t own or control it. Road Traffic signal Radio broadcast Sidewalk Elevator Newspaper (content) Weather Utility service (electric, gas, telephone, water, sewage, etc.) Internet provider Gas station ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/102 "2005-12-19T14:16:42Z")
Euuw, you touch sewage every day. ---
**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 19, 2005, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/103 "2005-12-19T14:27:51Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > Euuw, you touch sewage every day. You are very close. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/104 "2005-12-19T14:30:49Z")
Manhole cover lifter. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/105 "2005-12-19T14:33:26Z")
Is it something to do with wing nuts (specifically those holding toilet seats in place)? ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/106 "2005-12-19T14:33:40Z")
Something a plumber or utility meter reader might use? Something to do with the toilet? Or unclogging pipes? ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/107 "2005-12-19T14:37:22Z")
Something to do with… Plumbing Water softener Valve Toilet Sink Drain Toilet paper (winding toilet paper??) ---
**Author:** ![initech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/439d5e/32.png) [@initech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/initech)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/108 "2005-12-19T14:38:06Z")
Does this secure a toilet paper roll? ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/109 "2005-12-19T14:40:19Z")
Something to do with public restrooms? ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/110 "2005-12-19T14:41:58Z")
Something to do with trash or recycling? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/111 "2005-12-19T14:45:07Z")
Is it supposed to hold plastic bread bags closed, and was subsequently replaced by those little plastic clips or twist ties? ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/112 "2005-12-19T14:53:14Z")
Does it have to do with the next roll of toilet paper being avalaible after the first one is used up? Or allowing the janitor to advance it? ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/113 "2005-12-19T14:54:21Z")
Does it have something to do with garbage disposals? ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/114 "2005-12-19T14:55:20Z")
A device to be employed by a woman for the automatic lowering of a toilet seat after a man has finished with 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 19, 2005, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/115 "2005-12-19T14:57:03Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Something to do with trash or recycling? One of those. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/116 "2005-12-19T14:59:14Z")
It secures a rubbish/trash bag. Easily replaced by a knot. Or string. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/117 "2005-12-19T14:59:32Z")
Is it used with wires to bale cardboard? ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/118 "2005-12-19T15:02:37Z")
Used to twirl the top of a garbage bag so it can be tied in a knot? ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/119 "2005-12-19T15:04:31Z")
Got it. It tightens up garbage bags on the larger trash cans and keeps the bags from falling into the can while it’s being filled up. The swingy thing pinches the plastic to the metal to keep it from falling off after it’s wound up. What do I win? ---
**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 19, 2005, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121/120 "2005-12-19T15:11:07Z")
> [@Small Clanger](#): > > It secures a rubbish/trash bag. > > Easily replaced by a knot. > > Or string. DING! DING! DING! We have a weiner! Duke of Rat & Uncommon Sense got it right, too. When I first got this thing and read the description, my first response was, “WTF?” why would you spend $1.50 a piece for this thing when tying a knot in the bag or using a giant rubber band (like I did when I worked at a convenience store) would do just as well? Like I said, I don’t think the thing ever went into general distribution. Thanks to all for playing! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-object/336121.md?page=7)