These Unusual Scents Are Way More Popular Than You Think
Everyone’s nose has its quirks. Some folks love the fresh smell of rain, others crave that crisp whiff of gasoline at the pump—and a few of y’all even admitted to loving the scent of skunks (yes, really). So we decided to ask: What’s a weird smell you secretly love?
As always, LCtoday readers did not disappoint. From childhood memories to farm life nostalgia and even a few guilty pleasures, your answers were heartfelt, funny, and in some cases, downright unexpected. Here's a look at the weird and wonderful scents that make Lawrence County sniff twice—in a good way.
⛽️ Gasoline Takes the Crown
The most mentioned scent by far? Gasoline. Whether it’s regular fuel, diesel, or even race car fuel, there’s something about that sharp, flammable fragrance that folks just can’t get enough of.
“Self tanner and diesel exhaust,” Brannon-Brandi Standridge wrote.
“Race car fuel!” added Rachel Donaldson.
And a whole bunch of y’all echoed those same sentiments.
Some tied it to memories of old trucks, lawn mowers, or summer evenings working in the garage. Others just flat-out admitted they liked it without apology. No shame here—we’re just glad we’re not the only ones who’ve leaned a little too close to the pump before.
🐎 The Scent of the South: Horses, Barns & Dirt Roads
If you grew up around farms, you might understand this next category. Lots of readers mentioned horses, cow pastures, and the earthy scent of dirt or fresh-plowed fields.
“Horses,” said Skylar Curry.
“Cow pasture... not the 💩, but the smell of the pasture itself,” shared Jerri Wilbanks Ray.
“Fresh plowed dirt,” Sherry Colburn Frost Agee chimed in.
It’s clear that for many of y’all, these smells are more than just “weird”—they’re comforting. They take you back to childhoods spent outside, to early mornings and muddy boots, to a simpler way of life.
🧼 Cleaners, Comet, and Childhood Scents
Then there were those smells that fall into the “strangely satisfying” category—cleaning supplies, office materials, and classic childhood throwbacks.
“Play-Doh,” said multiple readers.
“Markers and Sharpies,” offered Ginger Layman Davis.
“Scotch tape,” said David Meherg.
“Comet,” Whitney Irene added.
You can’t tell us Play-Doh doesn’t hit a nostalgic nerve. And that first whiff of a fresh Sharpie? There’s just something oddly satisfying about it.
🌳 Plants, Trees & Mother Nature’s Perfume
Mother Nature made quite a few appearances too. Tomato plants, wild onions, sweet gum trees, and honeysuckle were all popular picks.
“The smell of tomato plants,” said Jennifer Moody Riddle.
“Honeysuckle vines near the ER always refreshed my senses,” Darwin Clark remembered.
And Julia Kathleen Craig Cole swears by “sweet gum leaves mowed over in the fall.”
Some of y’all even said you used to chew on sweet gum tree sap! It’s clear nature smells different to each of us—and sometimes weird is just another word for homegrown.
🐶 Puppy Breath, Old Attics & Other Unexpected Faves
We had some truly off-the-wall ones too, and we love y’all for it.
“Puppy breath,” “the musty AC smell in cars,” “wood stoves,” “skunk spray,” and even “burnt motor oil” made the list.
“Don’t laugh or say eww,” said Twila Hood, “but I love the smell of skunks! Grosses Jackie out.”
“The old paper mill made me want boiled cabbage,” said Jason Stricklin (we’re still processing that one, Jason).
And then there were those oddly specific ones that made us laugh and nod:
“The smell of ball fields!” – Katie Adame
“New textbooks” – Ginger Layman Davis
“Hoppe’s #9” – Bud Masterson (gun enthusiasts know this one well)
👃 So What Is It About Weird Smells?
Smell is deeply tied to memory, emotion, and even comfort. What smells “weird” to one person might feel like home to another. Whether it’s the sharp tang of diesel or the sweetness of honeysuckle in spring, these scents tell stories—and clearly, our community has a lot to say.
So thank you to everyone who chimed in! Y’all proved that weird isn’t so weird after all. In fact, it might just be the best-smelling part of life.
