These Everyday Objects Have Some Weird Things That Finally Have Explanations
Many people go about their days not worrying about the little facts and details that don't immediately impact their life, but have you ever really stopped and asked what the purpose of something was? Or what the hidden history behind something as simple as a pom-pom on a knit hat was all about?
Well, look no further. We've found all the answers to the questions you didn't even know you wanted to ask. Like why do backpacks have that diamond loop on the front, and what does it have to do with mountain climbers?
There Are Multiple Reasons For Those Extra Shoelace Holes
Those two extra little holes on your shoe by your ankle actually have quite a few different purposes. They will help tie your shoes tighter with a "loop lock."
It can also help stop your shoes from rubbing up on your skin if you like to go sockless. Of course, if you're 14, you can also use them to look extra cool.
Headrests Can Help You Escape Your Car
So first of all, I didn't even know you could fully remove your headrests. I thought they were just for comfort and whiplash prevention. In case of an emergency, your headrest can also help you break out of your window.
Just wedge the metal rods between the window and your car door, and pull the headrest down towards you and it should shatter.
Spaghetti Spoons Come With Portion Sizes
No one in the world is capable of making the right amount of spaghetti. It's either not enough, or enough to feed a family of eight. Spaghetti spoons usually come with a hole in the middle.
I always assumed it was to help drain any liquids, but it's actually for measuring the perfect portion of spaghetti for one.
The Blue Side Of The Eraser Isn't For Ink
I'm an adult and I still thought that the blue side of an eraser was meant to remove ink. Of course, we all tried that in school and know it doesn't work.
In reality, the blue side is still only meant to erase pencil marks, but from much thicker paper like card stock or drawing paper. Myth officially busted.
Chupa Chups Lollipop Aren't Whistles, Sorry
Do you know those round lollipops we loved as kids that came in flavors like watermelon and bubblegum? They had the hole at the top of the plastic lollipop stick that all of us just assumed was a whistle.
It turns out, the hole is there so you don't choke and die. It helps the candy fasten to the stick, so it doesn't come loose.
That Diamond Loop On Your Backpack Has A Historical Origin
That diamond shape design often seen on brand and no-name backpacks isn't just to look cool. It's actually a nod to old alpine backpacks. Mountaineers' bags would have a diamond shape tab like that to strap their ice pick to.
Now, you can use it to strap your headphones or running shoes, but that's not as fun.
Fastfood Lids Are Ready-Made Coasters
I always assumed that the three bumps on the plasti lids of fast food cups were for playing with, but they actually turn your lid into a coaster.
It makes perfect sense when you think about it. It seems like fast food cups are especially prone to getting covered in tons of condensation.
The Ketchup Bottle Hack We've All Been Waiting For
Yes, those classic ketchup bottles at restaurants are cool, but no one knows how to really get the ketchup out. Thankfully, Heinz is helping us all out by adding a raised '57' on the side of each glass bottle.
If you tip the bottle at 45 degrees and lightly tap where that '57' is, the ketchup should flow out just fine.
French Marines Inspired The Pom Poms On Our Winter Hats
It seemed like no one questions why nearly every knit hat has a pom pom on top, but it turns out there's a military reason behind it. French marines were the first to wear them.
They used the pom poms as a way to help stop them from hitting their heads on low doorways on their ships.
The Hole On A Lock Is Not To Help You Pick It
That little hole on the bottom of a padlock is not so you can stick a bobby pin or needle inside to break the lock — it's so moisture can escape.
That means you don't have to worry about the lock getting rusty if you want to put a few drops of oil in it.
The Airplane Hole Is Actually Saving Your Life
If you've been blessed enough to end up with the window seat on an airplane, you would have noticed some frozen condensation on the window. When I first saw it, I was super worried that my window was cracked.
It turns out, they purposely put a hole in the window to help regulate cabin pressure. If the experts say so, then we have to trust it.
Wine Punts Aren't Meant To Scam Us Out Of More Alcohol
The simple at the bottom of a wine bottle (a.k.a. the wine punt) has a very scientific reason. The punt is to stop the bottle from falling over. If it's flat on the bottom, it can tip was easier.
The punt also makes it easier to catch extra sediments, especially in red wine, and to make the bottle more resistant to pressure.
Soda Can Tabs Help Keep Straws In Place
I swear, every classy Southern lady already knows this hack, but for the rest of us, it's a game changer. If you don't like sipping soda from a can, but hate that a straw pops out thanks to carbonation, turn the tab around and use it to keep the straw inside.
Of course, if you want to save the sea turtles, don't use a straw at all.
Those Stupid Tiny Jeans Pockets Are From The Wild, Wild West
Women's jeans already don't have big enough pockets, so it never made sense why we also have those super-tiny pockets too. Those extra small pockets are actually a carryover from when jeans were invented for cowboys.
The small pocket was meant to be a snug fit for their pocket watch. Since no one has a pocket watch anymore, I think we can all agree to ban tiny pockets.
Fabric Buttons Aren't Just For When You Lose One
That little piece of fabric and button attached to your new shirt or pants is meant for you to test in the washing machine.
Send the square piece of fabric and button into the wash and you can figure out beforehand if your machine or detergent will ruin the garment. Then, after that, you can reuse the button.
Beer Bottles Have Ergonomic Designs
If you're a craft beer drinker, then you know that the shape of a bottle and glass can change the flavors in a good beer. For the rest of us drinking regular beer, even those bottles are well thought out.
The long neck is to make it easier to hold. Also, if you hold it by the neck, then you won't warm up your beer with your body heat.
There's More To Your Shirt's Locker Loop Than Meets The Eye
That little loop on the back of a men's button up shirt is mostly used for hanging. It's known as a locker loop so you won't have to fold and crease your shirt.
There is another rumor though that the loop indicated a man was single. If he cut off the loop, it meant he was in a relationship. We're not sure how well that would work today with a dating culture like Tinder.
Keyboard Steps Don't Make It More Ergonomic
Growing up, many of us probably thought that those little hinges on the back of a keyboard the stood it up on an angle was for more comfortable typing. Studies have shown the most ergonomic form is typing on a flat surface.
Those little keyboard steps are only in place to make the keys more visible.
Creased Dress Pants Aren't For Fashion
That prominent crease in the front and back of mens dress pants aren't a fashion statement, but it came from necessity. They are called a "traveller's crease" because it dates back to when men had to fold and travel with dress clothes in a trunk.
The crease on the front and back was nearly impossible to get out, so they just incorporated it into every pant.
Underwear Pockets Aren't For Hiding Secret Items
Ladies know this, but for all the men out there, most women's underwear have little pockets of soft fabric. This isn't for storing secret items, but it's for getting the underwear up to health codes.
If the fabric used for the underwear isn't up to standard, then they sew in a small fabric pocket to keep it comfortable.
The Hole In A Pen Lid Can Save Lives
No, the hole in the top of your pen lid isn't meant to suck on the pen easier. It also doesn't dry out the ink faster.
The hole in the pen cap is meant it increase airflow and reduce the risk of choking if you accidentally swallow it. Parents of little kids should love this tip.
Checks Have A Secret Code On Them
That line on the bottom of your check where you put your signature isn't just a line. If you look really, really, really closely you'll see the words "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" over and over in tiny print.
It's meant to prove the check is legitimate and that your signature was printed over the line.
There's A Difference Between The Kings In A Deck Of Cards
Most of us never look close enough at the four kings in a standard Rouennais deck of playing cards, but there is one significant difference. The king of hearts doesn't look like any other.
He doesn't have a mustache, and he's using his sword on himself. Maybe because of a broken heart?
ATM Pins Are Four Digits For A Funny Reason
The PIN code for your bank card was originally supposed to be six digits, but the inventor changed it to four digits for a super relatable reason.
The inventor's wife was having a hard time remembering six digits, so he changed it to the standard we know today just for her. That's true love.
The Standard White T-Shirt Was Invented For Single Men
Nowadays, t-shirts are a staple in any person's wardrobe, but it wasn't the case when they were invented way back in 1904.
In the early 1900s, the t-shirt was meant to be an easy piece of clothing for bachelors who didn't have a wife with sewing skills to patch up nicer garments.
Barcodes Work In A Pretty Sneaky Way
I bet none of you have ever stopped to think exactly how it works when someone in a store scans a barcode. How do a few black and white lines hold so much information? Barcode readers work by sending rays of light onto the barcode.
The black parts absorb the light, and the white reflects it back, which indicates the code.
Gas Pump Gauges Can Save Your Car
You've probably never looked around when you're pumping gas, but the pump runs up to the top of the station. If you look up, you'll see it's connected with two big metal pieces. Those aren't screwed together — they're actually really strong magnets.
That means if you aimlessly drive away with the nozzle still in your fuel tank, it will break off and not make the entire gas station explode.
Boot Loops Have Multiple Uses
Most of us, myself included, us the little loops on the back of our winter boots to help us shove our heel into the boot. This is what the loops have evolved to be used as, but they were originally invented to help you hang up your boots to dry.
That would definitely help out on rainy, snowy days.
Soda Caps Help Keep It Fresh
We all know that the plastic caps on soda bottles have two pieces: the main cap, then that little plastic ring around the bottom of the cap.
Usually, they twist off in two pieces, but they're meant to be one piece to keep your soda extra fresh and super carbonated.
That Hole In Your iPhone Is Pretty Important
For something most of us carry in our pockets 24/7, it's surprising to realize you never noticed that tiny hole between the camera and the flashlight. That minuscule hole isn't a factory reset button or a design flaw — it's a microphone.
It's on the top of the phone for when you're taking a video and need audio in it.
Did You Even Know Your Kitchen Probably Has A Warming Drawer?
Have you ever made a hot dish for a party, only to have it get cold right as your guests arrive? Well, aren't you in for a treat today!
You see, many modern ovens have a little drawer underneath, at the very bottom. You might use it to store pans and other kitchen gear in. But it's actually meant to be used to keep your dishes warm after you've baked them in the oven! Now it's time to have a party and test it out.
Car Glove Compartments Were Actually Made For... Gloves
The name "glovebox" (sometimes called "glove compartment" or even "glovie" in some areas) is most likely pretty confusing to a lot of people these days. But when auto manufacturers first started including them in cars, the term made complete sense, since they were actually made for storing gloves.
Back in the day, people used to wear driving gloves when they were tooling around town, and they needed a place to keep them when they weren't in use. Nowadays, glove compartments are still super-handy and can be used to hold a variety of maps or electronic gadgets. Or snacks, like seen here.
Who Knew Foil And Plastic Wrap Could Be So Easy To Open?
Have you ever struggled to unroll some cling wrap or aluminum foil? If so, you probably aren't aware that these handy products come with some special little indentations built right into the packaging.
Look closely and you'll see that the box even says to "press" on the indentations to lock the roll in place while you're getting that Saran wrap or foil out to use. Sometimes, it's the little tricks that make life so much easier.
That Hole In A Pan Handle Has A Useful Function!
Have you ever noticed that most pot handles come with a hole in the end? It turns out that those holes serve a purpose -- actually, two different purposes. Most of us already know that you can hang a pot up on a hook with the hole, which is pretty useful already.
But that indentation also serves as a spoon rest! You can set whatever utensil you're using to stir with in the hole and it'll keep your counters tidy and clean from spills and splatters.
Convenient Way To Carry Your Tools
We're all so used to clothing with tons of extra features and pockets that we might not even notice some of them or know what their purpose is. But if you've ever owned a pair of pants or jeans with a loop on the outer side of the leg, you could have been carrying a hammer or other tool around in it.
This style was really popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but can still be found today.
Why There's A Slit In Some Medicine Cabinets
In some old homes, a medicine cabinet includes a tiny slit that looks like a coin slot. It was actually used to deposit razors. Once people finished shaving, they would drop their used razor blades into the slot. Where would they go? Nowhere, really--just into the wall.
If you were to remove the medicine cabinet, you'd likely see all the discarded razors. Keep that in mind if you plan to have someone replace your old medicine cabinet. You don't want an infection from a decades-old razor blade.
That Tiny Thing Near The Front Door Is A Boot Scraper
In some older homes, tiny iron ornaments stick up in front of the door. These are boot scrapers, which appeared in major cities during the seventeenth century. Boot-wearers would scrape the mud off of their shoes before walking through the front door. Nowadays, they only stub peoples' toes.
Boot scrapers came in many shapes and sizes. Many include ornate spirals and designs, including animals. Usually, two boot scrapers would border the door at the end of a walkway.
Are There Seemingly Useless Railings All Over Your Walls? Here's What To Do With Them
If your walls have small wooden railings near the ceiling, you may own a picture rail. In the 1840s, architects built these into homes to hang pictures. Art would dangle from a chain, and the hanging wouldn't damage the wall. Many picture rails include movable hooks for paintings.
Picture rails became outdated by the 1940s. However, you can still install a picture rail if you want to save your walls from nails. Most picture rails are 1.5 to 2 inches wide and carved from wood, sometimes painted to accent the room.
That Tiny Door Is For Milk!
If your house has a small cabinet with doors both inside and outside, it might be a milk door. Also called a milk chute, milk doors were built for milkmen to drop in daily milk.
Milkmen usually delivered bottles early in the morning so families could drink milk with breakfast. Sometimes, milkmen would deliver other products such as eggs, cheese, butter, and soft drinks. In the U.S., some families still have milk delivered today.
What Was This Cubby Built For?
Here's another feature you might see in an old home and wonder what it's for. Remember when every house had a landline? Since rotary phones were bulky and wide, some architects build phone niches into the wall.
Keep in mind that these phones had cords, so people had to stand around to talk. Hence, phone niches often appeared in hallways, kitchens, and bedrooms. Today, some people use them to display things like plants or books.
