this post was submitted on 12 Apr 2024

58 points (98.3% liked)

What is this thing?

5562 readers

3 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

mykl@lemmy.world

What is thing (connector) thing? (lemmy.world)

submitted 7 months ago by ben1o@lemmy.world to c/whatisthisthing@lemmy.world

31 comments fedilink hide all child comments

This is outside my apartment building, next to the car park. Is it a connector for a hose of some kind?

top 31 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] BearOfaTime@lemm.ee 53 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (3 children)

Water. Notice the threads are standard hose bib threads (forget what they're called, it's not pipe thread, just similar).

It uses a key to operate it, helps prevent average jerks from just turning it on. (These keys are widely available for about $5)

Edit: the little cap is for freeze protection. It's part of a mechanism to vent water from the last foot of the pipe and bib, so there's no water in it to freeze when the valve is closed.

[–] GenderNeutralBro@lemmy.sdf.org 26 points 7 months ago (3 children)

They are called sillcock keys. They come in a few different sizes so you'll often see 4-way tools like this one: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4-Way-Sillcock-Key-16PL0129/304217572

You can find these spigots on buildings all over the place. Sometimes they are locked behind a panel that you can also open with that same tool. Great for nomads.

[–] ArcaneSlime@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Great for nomads.

Isn't that the water for the building's sprinkler system? That stuff safe to drink? I figured if there's no chems there'd at least be mold/mildew.

[–] GenderNeutralBro@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Hmm, I don't think so. My understanding is that these spigots are generally plain ol' tap water for scenarios where you need an outdoor tap, like construction, maintenance, etc. Might vary by locality, but I've heard of backpackers/campers/nomads/etc. using these in many places without issue. Never actually done it myself.

Sprinkler systems are typically closed and pressurized, so I don't think they'd have an outlet as simple as this.

[–] gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 7 months ago

Never heard of a place that these weren't just water access for stuff like grounds crew or maintenance to have access to water conveniently without the public being able to easily mess with them

[–] ArcaneSlime@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 7 months ago

Interesting, I must find out!

[–] ben1o@lemmy.world 4 points 7 months ago

Thanks! The lock was stumping me in particular, so this really helps!

[–] BearOfaTime@lemm.ee 1 points 7 months ago

Thank you, memory wasn't pulling up the proper name - too much in there to sift through, I guess, haha.

[–] RobotToaster@mander.xyz 16 points 7 months ago (2 children)

helps prevent average jerks from just turning it on. (These keys are widely available for about $5)

So only above average jerks can turn it on?

[–] ShepherdPie@midwest.social 6 points 7 months ago

Would you want any other type of jerk playing with your sillcock?

[–] JaymesRS 5 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Or below average…

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

We call ourselves the Five Buck F**ks.

[–] JaymesRS 5 points 7 months ago

Why did you censor Forks?

[–] ben1o@lemmy.world 3 points 7 months ago

Thank you!

[–] Chainweasel@lemmy.world 13 points 7 months ago (1 children)

It's a water spigot with a removable handle so people can't turn it on and let it run.
The handle will go into the hole on front and the top piece is a vent that allows water that drains back from the hose to exit the spigot instead of reentering the city water supply.

[–] ben1o@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago

Thank you!

[+] dysprosium@lemmy.dbzer0.com -33 points 7 months ago (5 children)

There should be a "no stupid question what is this thing" community

[–] thantik@lemmy.world 27 points 7 months ago

No legitimate question is stupid, as it comes from a place of someone being curious and wanting to educate themselves. Don't discourage that. Humanity already has too many people unwilling to learn anything.

[–] Chainweasel@lemmy.world 21 points 7 months ago

looks like you should read this comic, and maybe try not to be a dick in the future

[–] Empricorn@feddit.nl 9 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Or we could legitimately make it a "no assholes" community. Ask yourself whether you would belong there...

[–] DarkNightoftheSoul@mander.xyz 9 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I'm sorry you're dealing with whatever you're dealing with. I hope tomorrow is a better day for you.

[–] dysprosium@lemmy.dbzer0.com -5 points 7 months ago (1 children)

You're being sarcastic aren't you

[–] DarkNightoftheSoul@mander.xyz 4 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

I was being, am, quite sincere.

[–] dysprosium@lemmy.dbzer0.com -4 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

It's even sadder that you a priori assume someone is having an emotionally difficult time just because they joke around.

[–] DarkNightoftheSoul@mander.xyz 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I didn't say anything about emotional difficulty. I said I was sorry you're dealing with whatever you're dealing with, and left that open for you to fill in any blanks. I hope you're having a good day 😀

[–] dysprosium@lemmy.dbzer0.com -1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

backpedaling are we? These "blanks" could either refer to having an emotional difficult time, or you pitying me by being different than you and viewing life through another lens. Not much else. Is that worth commenting on and in such manner?

That or you just wanted to sound pretentiously preachy. I hope you're having a good day "smiley face"

[–] DarkNightoftheSoul@mander.xyz 3 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

It's not backpedaling to exactly quote a previous statement, and based on your command of the language, I think you know that. There's a much more charitable interpretation of my statement that you're not including: I know it's hard to tell over text, but I genuinely wish you well. I wouldn't have used the word pity to describe my observation of the fact that the universal human condition includes suffering, or "difficulty" of one form or another, though I suppose you're right some sympathy (edit: which could be misinterpreted as pity) is required to relate to other human beings. Still, empathy is my preference. Is 'sounds rough bro, have a good day' so pretentious and preachy, or are you so cynical?

Since you seem to object to smileyface (and fair enough I suppose), I will simply say yes I am having a good day, and thank you for your well wishes.

[–] dysprosium@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 7 months ago (1 children)

you wouldn't wish someone well if you didn't think they were having an experience they themselves would describe as emotionally negative. That's the reason why you said those blanks, right? We're talking about the motivation that brought you here, which you hadn't mentioned. Empathy and altruism are solely egoistic traits aimed at maintaining one's own emotional equilibrium and well-being. That's true, right? Objectively speaking? Subjectivity is meaningless, viewed objectively. Nobody exists on purpose, nobody belongs anywhere, everyone's gonna die. So who's the cynical one? I'm gonna watch tengoku daimakyou now.

[–] DarkNightoftheSoul@mander.xyz 2 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

I don't know what's going on with you, friend, but I've never met someone who talked about the pointlessness of existence who wasn't to some degree depressed, myself very much included. I don't know if that's egoistic or what, but I believe it's an empathetic observation. And yeah, I was hoping to promote my own emotional equilibrium and well-being by wishing you well. Altruism can have a selfish effect without defeating its purpose.

Cynical? Yeah. I'm just as capable of cynicism as the next human being. Case-in-point: I've wanted a few times to tell you to just have a shitty day if you don't want to accept simple kindness, but have chosen a very frustrating dialogue instead. Actually, I checked myself on the definition of cynicism, and the post to which I'm replying here very much fits the common definition. That said, I'll accept the description of myself as a cynic, and go further to wear it with pride: Some amount of cynicism is healthy, and indeed necessary to navigate the a society we live in without getting suckered. I don't know if I have the "healthy" amount of cynicism. I doubt it, actually.

I'll check out that anime. My usual pirate streaming sites are down right now and the one I managed to find with it didn't have english subs.

This has been kinda cathartic, thanks for that, too.

[–] dysprosium@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 7 months ago

I guess then I'm one of the lucky few humans that can withstand the melancholic side-effect of wanting to explore the nugatory nature of morality, and simplicity and hypocrisy of human endeavour. Neat, huh?

For the record, I do also have a positive take on life in case you didn't notice. But taking on the said proposition [Empathy and altruism are solely egoistic traits aimed at maintaining one’s own emotional equilibrium and well-being], is only what makes life more interesting. I am not sure whether your reaction to this was meant sarcastically or not.

I usually have my pirate (bittorrent) sites unlocked by custom DNS redirects in the hosts file on my linux machines. Don't know how tech-savvy you are, but wish you best of luck finding. It's nice

[–] mcslinplay@feddit.de 2 points 7 months ago

There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.