Heavens to Murgatroyd this is going quickly.... only one left.
Lissie, I have used your description. I have looked at the original and the 'thing' appears to be one of those plunger dispensers for syrup or ketchup, but I am not exactly sure.
It's a citrus juicer I think. I know that because I once ordered one expecting an electric juicer and that gadget is what turned up. It lived in the back of the cupboard for a while and then went in the bin.