Sporks and Other Strange Implements Quiz

Answer: Removing ear wax

Mimikaki comes from the Japanese words "mimi" (meaning "ear") and "kaki" (meaning "to scratch"), which gives us the transliteration of "ear scratcher or scraper". Ear picks are mainly used in Asian countries for the removal of earwax. One end of the bamboo mimikaki (ear pick) has a small scoop, while the other is similar to a cotton swab.

Answer: P-38 can opener

The P-38 can opener is lightweight and collapsible. Less than an inch in length, the P-38 removes can lids by making a series of punchers in the lid. The origins of the name "P-38" cannot be claimed by a single source, but some attribute it to taking exactly 38 punctures to open a can. Others, however, state that it opens a can as fast as a P-38 fighter air craft.

Answer: A spoon with a knife blade for a handle

The spife is basically a spoon with a knife-edge for a handle. Spifes are sold with a handle guard to cover the knife portion. An early reference to the spife appears in 1942's "The Boxcar Children" by Gertrude Chandler Warner. Another device related to the spork and spife is called a "splayed".

This device combines the elements of the spork and spife into one instrument. Some variations have a serrated edge on the spoon portion.

Answer: A pivoting beverage holder that keeps your beverage in an upright position

The pendulator is a device that keeps your beverage container in an upright position. It's basically a cup holder that can be attached to bicycles, golf bags, rolling luggage handles or anything else you can think of. The design is supposed to keep your beverage container perpendicular to the floor and to be spill-proof.

Answer: It is a spittoon

Yes, it is a spittoon. The word cuspidor comes from the Latin "conspure", which means to spit upon. Your dentist almost certainly has a cuspidor for you to spit into in his office. In the 1800s, cuspidors were common in banks, saloons, and railway stations. Cuspidors were not only common in 19th century U.S., however. For example, during the Qing Dynasty in China a golden cuspidor was displayed before the Emperor at major ceremonies.

Incidentally, spittoons were also commonly used by people with tuberculosis and often contained some sort of antiseptic in order to prevent the spread of the disease.

Answer: Divining Rod

Also called a 'dousing' or 'witch rod', some believe that a divinng rod can locate water, precious ores and other valuable commodities. Use of divining rods date back to ancient times. The Greek historian Herodotus mentions them as being a tool of the Alani, and Tacitus of the ancient Germans.

The divining rod is used by holding the two prongs close to the body with the end pointing straight out. When you walk over hidden, underground water (or mineral ore) the end of the stick will point to it.

Answer: In the kitchen

Mandolines (French spelling) are basically manual food processors. They can be worked by placing the mandoline blades to line up with the container holding the food item you want to cut. Placing the food into the container allows you to slide the food over the blades, getting the desired cut you want. Most mandolines have an adjustable sliding board and two or more blades. Blades may be used alone or in combination to get the desired results.

Answer: An evaporative cooler

A swamp cooler, or evaporative cooler, does its job by blowing moisture into the air. A simple "swamp cooler" can be made by wetting a towel and placing it in front of a normal fan. Basically, by blowing water mist into the air in lower humidity climates, the mist will absorb the heat. Thus, the temperature will be lowered in the area you desired.

Answer: The Plow/Gun

U.S. Patent Number 35,600 was issued on June 17, 1862 for the plow/gun. The idea behind the plow/gun was to provide a useful farm implement as well as a light weight gun in one tool. The gun could be used defensively in areas subject to feuds, border incursions and guerilla warfare.

The plow/gun would have enabled farmers to plow their fields and kill their enemies--all at the same time!

Answer: Swiss Army Knife

Wanting to have a piece of army equipment for the Swiss that was not manufactured in Germany, inventor Karl Eisner made the first Swiss Army knife in 1891.

Other choices: the drywall hatchet is a handy tool, in that it has a hammer head as well as the chopping head of a small hatchet. The crescent wrench was invented in 1842 in England by Richard Clyburn. Channel locks, or pliers, in one form or another have been around since about 3,000 B.C.