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{{short description|Wikipedia list article}}
{{Short description|Laws seen as useless, humorous or obsolete}}
⚫
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}{{Use British English|date=January 2021}}'''Strange laws''', also called '''weird laws''', '''dumb laws''', '''futile laws''', '''unusual laws''', '''unnecessary laws''', '''legal oddities''', or '''legal curiosities''', are [[Law|laws]] that are perceived to be useless, humorous or obsolete, or are no longer applicable (in regard to current culture or modern law). A number of books and websites purport to list dumb laws. These are in many cases based on misunderstandings, exaggerations or outright fabrications.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Owens |first=Kelly |date=2018-04-24 |title=It's Illegal to Do What? Strange Laws and Why They Exist |url=https://law.marquette.edu/facultyblog/2018/04/its-illegal-to-do-what-strange-laws-and-why-they-exist/ |access-date=2022-07-03 |website=[[Marquette University Law School|Marquette University Law School Faculty Blog]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}{{Use British English|date=January 2021}}
⚫
'''Strange laws''', also called '''weird laws''', '''dumb laws''', '''futile laws''', '''unusual laws''', '''unnecessary laws''', '''legal oddities''', or '''legal curiosities''', are laws that are perceived to be useless, humorous or obsolete, i.e. no longer applicable (in regard to current culture or modern law). A number of books and websites purport to list dumb laws. These are in many cases based on misunderstandings, exaggerations or outright fabrications.


== Veracity ==
== Veracity ==
Laws presented as "dumb laws" or "strange laws" are laws that are perceived by the speaker to be useless, no longer applicable (in regard to current culture or modern law), or humorous. A large number of hoax or exaggerated dumb laws are circulated on the internet and in the print media.<ref name="ReynoldsSusan Dach1993">For example, {{cite book|last1=Reynolds|first1=Patrick|last2=Susan Dach|title=Donkeys Can't Sleep in Bathtubs and Other Crazy Laws|year=1993|publisher=Watermill Press|location=[Mahwah, N.J.]|isbn=0-89375-264-9|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/donkeyscantsleep00susa}} among others.</ref>
Laws presented as "dumb laws", "strange laws", or "weird laws", are laws that are perceived by the speaker to be useless, no longer applicable (in regard to current culture or modern law), or humorous. A large number of hoax or exaggerated dumb laws are circulated on the internet and in the print media.<ref name=":2" /><ref name="ReynoldsSusan Dach1993">For example, {{cite book|last1=Reynolds|first1=Patrick|last2=Susan Dach|title=Donkeys Can't Sleep in Bathtubs and Other Crazy Laws|year=1993|publisher=Watermill Press|location=[Mahwah, N.J.]|isbn=0-89375-264-9|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/donkeyscantsleep00susa}} among others.</ref>


Several books have been written and numerous websites exist on the internet purporting to list "dumb laws" in various jurisdictions. The "dumb laws" are also often circulated via e-mail [[chain letter]]s.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}
Several books have been written and numerous [[Listicle|listicles]] exist on the internet purporting to list "dumb laws" in various jurisdictions. The "dumb laws" are also often circulated via e-mail [[chain letter]]s.<ref name=":2" />


==Examples==
==Examples==
{{dynamic list}}
{{dynamic list}}
Some purported strange laws do not exist, no longer exist, or were never passed, while others are actually in effect, although they are often exaggerated or misrepresented in popular culture. Sometimes similar laws, such as a [[prohibition of dying]] (typically in certain buildings and local areas), really exist in some places, but are mere urban legends in other places. Some compliers confuse the circumstances in which a defendant was convicted under a more general statute, such as a noise ordinance or disorderly conduct, as the text of the law itself. Others may fabricate a purported law as a [[copyright trap]].
Some purported strange laws do not exist, no longer exist, or were never passed, while others are actually in effect, although they are often exaggerated or misrepresented in popular culture. Sometimes similar laws, such as a [[prohibition of dying]] (typically in certain buildings and local areas), really exist in some places, but are mere urban legends in other places. Some compilers confuse the circumstances in which a defendant was convicted under a more general statute, such as a noise ordinance or disorderly conduct, as the text of the law itself. Others may fabricate a purported law as a [[copyright trap]].


=== European Union ===
=== European Union ===
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A lot of purportedly strange laws within [[European Union law]] do not actually exist, or are wildly exaggerated; these are referred to as [[Euromyths]].
A lot of purportedly strange laws within [[European Union law]] do not actually exist, or are wildly exaggerated; these are referred to as [[Euromyths]].
;Misrepresented
;Misrepresented
* [[Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2257/94]], sometimes referred to in the media as the 'bendy banana law': the alleged ban on curved [[banana]]s is a long-standing, famous, and stereotypical claim<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/certainideasofeurope/2007/08/straight_bananas_and_teabag_co|title= Straight bananas and tea-bag consultations|date=24 August 2007|work=[[The Economist]]|quote= Some are entirely invented for excitable journalists—'Mumbai mix'—while others are tenuously connected to facts, such as the most famous Euromyth of them all, straight bananas.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/06/08/eu.facts.myths/index.html|title= Euromyths: Fact and fiction|date=8 June 2004|publisher=[[CNN]]|quote= Mother of all euromyths: Bananas must not be excessively curved&nbsp;... 'Some wise cracker asked: "What does this mean for the curvature of bananas?{{"'}} recalled one EU official. The question stuck and a myth was born.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6481969.stm|title=Guide to the best euromyths |date=23 March 2007|publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/news/eu_explained/070823_1_en.htm|title=Euromyths – time to set the record straight |date=23 August 2007|publisher=[[European Commission]]}}</ref> that is used in headlines to typify the Euromyth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.andrewduff.eu/pages/myth-food.html |title=Food, drink and straight bananas |access-date=2009-09-22 |author=Andrew Duff |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522123256/http://andrewduff.eu/pages/myth-food.html |archive-date=22 May 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31994R2257:EN:HTML|title = COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2257/94 of 16 September 1994 laying down quality standards for bananas|author=Commission of the European Communities |access-date=2009-09-22| date=16 September 1994}}</ref> Amongst other issues of acceptable quality and standards, the regulation does actually specify minimum dimensions. It also states that bananas shall be free from deformation or abnormal curvature.<ref name="Consolidated text">{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1994R2257:20060217:EN:PDF|title=Consolidated text of regulation (as amended)}}</ref> However, the provisions relating to shape apply fully only to bananas sold as ''Extra'' class; slight defects of shape (but not size) are permitted in ''Class I'' and ''Class II'' bananas. However, a proposal banning straight bananas and other misshapen fruits was brought before the European Parliament in 2008 and defeated.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8587496.stm|title=Attempt at EU-wide 'wonky fruit and veg' ban fails|author=BBC|date=25 March 2010 | work=BBC News}}</ref>
* [[Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2257/94]], sometimes referred to in the media as the 'bendy banana law': the alleged ban on curved [[banana]]s is a long-standing, famous, and stereotypical claim<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/certainideasofeurope/2007/08/straight_bananas_and_teabag_co|title= Straight bananas and tea-bag consultations|date=24 August 2007|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|quote= Some are entirely invented for excitable journalists—'Mumbai mix'—while others are tenuously connected to facts, such as the most famous Euromyth of them all, straight bananas.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/06/08/eu.facts.myths/index.html|title= Euromyths: Fact and fiction|date=8 June 2004|publisher=[[CNN]]|quote= Mother of all euromyths: Bananas must not be excessively curved&nbsp;... 'Some wise cracker asked: "What does this mean for the curvature of bananas?{{"'}} recalled one EU official. The question stuck and a myth was born.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6481969.stm|title=Guide to the best euromyths |date=23 March 2007|publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/news/eu_explained/070823_1_en.htm|title=Euromyths – time to set the record straight |date=23 August 2007|publisher=[[European Commission]]}}</ref> that is used in headlines to typify the Euromyth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.andrewduff.eu/pages/myth-food.html |title=Food, drink and straight bananas |access-date=2009-09-22 |author=Andrew Duff |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522123256/http://andrewduff.eu/pages/myth-food.html |archive-date=22 May 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31994R2257:EN:HTML|title = COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2257/94 of 16 September 1994 laying down quality standards for bananas|author=Commission of the European Communities |access-date=2009-09-22| date=16 September 1994}}</ref> Amongst other issues of acceptable quality and standards, the regulation does actually specify minimum dimensions. It also states that bananas shall be free from deformation or abnormal curvature.<ref name="Consolidated text">{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1994R2257:20060217:EN:PDF|title=Consolidated text of regulation (as amended)}}</ref> However, the provisions relating to shape apply fully only to bananas sold as ''Extra'' class; slight defects of shape (but not size) are permitted in ''Class I'' and ''Class II'' bananas. However, a proposal banning straight bananas and other [[misshapen fruit]]s was brought before the European Parliament in 2008 and defeated.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8587496.stm|title=Attempt at EU-wide 'wonky fruit and veg' ban fails|author=BBC|date=25 March 2010 | work=BBC News}}</ref>


=== United Kingdom ===
=== United Kingdom ===
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;True
;True
*On the other hand, the Commission confirmed it is illegal to wear a suit of armour in the [[Houses of Parliament]] according to the 1313 [[Statute forbidding Bearing of Armour]].<ref name="Legal Curiosities"/><ref name=BBC>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7081038.stm |title=UK chooses 'most ludicrous laws' |publisher=BBC |date=7 November 2007}}</ref><ref name="LawCom"/>
*On the other hand, the Commission confirmed it is illegal to wear a suit of armour in the [[Houses of Parliament]] according to the 1313 [[Statute forbidding Bearing of Armour]].<ref name="Legal Curiosities"/><ref name=BBC>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7081038.stm |title=UK chooses 'most ludicrous laws' |publisher=BBC |date=7 November 2007}}</ref><ref name="LawCom"/>
* [[Alfred the Great]]'s law code really did contain the law, 'If a man unintentionally kills another man by letting a tree fall on him, the tree shall be given to the kinsmen of the slain'.<ref>King Alfred the Great and Shaftesbury Abbey'-Simon Keynes. Dorset County Council. 1999</ref>
* [[Alfred the Great]]'s law code really did contain the law, "If a man unintentionally kills another man by letting a tree fall on him, the tree shall be given to the kinsmen of the slain".<ref>King Alfred the Great and Shaftesbury Abbey'-Simon Keynes. Dorset County Council. 1999</ref>
* [[Salmon Act 1986]], Section 32: "Handling Salmon in Suspicious Circumstances"<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-strangest-weird-laws-enforced-christopher-sargeant-sturgeon-armour-a7232586.html|title= The UK’s strangest laws that are still enforced|newspaper= The Independent|date= 8 September 2016}}</ref><ref name="LawCom">{{Cite web |url=http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/app/uploads/2015/03/Legal_Oddities.pdf |title=Legal Curiosities: Fact or Fable? |date=March 2013 |website=Law Commission}}</ref>
* [[Salmon Act 1986]], Section 32: "Handling Salmon in Suspicious Circumstances".<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 September 2016 |title=The UK's strangest laws that are still enforced |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-strangest-weird-laws-enforced-christopher-sargeant-sturgeon-armour-a7232586.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-strangest-weird-laws-enforced-christopher-sargeant-sturgeon-armour-a7232586.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><ref name="LawCom">{{Cite web |date=March 2013 |title=Legal Curiosities: Fact or Fable? |url=http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/app/uploads/2015/03/Legal_Oddities.pdf |website=[[Law Commission (England and Wales)|Law Commission]]}}</ref>


=== United States ===
=== United States ===
[[File:Mgm Silly string roadsign.jpg|thumb|right|After [[aerosol string]] cost $200,000/year to clean up, [[Los Angeles]] passed an ordinance banning Silly String in [[Hollywood, California|Hollywood]] during [[Halloween]].<ref name=":0">{{cite press release | url = http://www.lapdonline.org/october_2004/news_view/20641 | title = Silly String Banned In Hollywood This Halloween | publisher = Los Angeles Police Department | date = October 28, 2004 | accessdate = November 21, 2015 }}</ref><ref name=":1">[http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2004/04-0772_ORD_176176_10-06-2004.pdf City of Los Angeles Ordinance No. 176176], passed August 18, 2004. Retrieved November 21, 2015.</ref>]]

;Misrepresented
*Supposedly, there is a law stating that one cannot fish while riding on the back of a camel in Idaho. A 1917 legal provision in the "Fish and Game rules" did ban riding on any animal while fishing, whatever that animal might be; this restriction was later removed, so it is no longer true.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://idfg.idaho.gov/d7/question/i-keep-hearing-its-illegal-fish-back-camel-state-idaho-i-suspect-someone-playing-joke-or | title=I keep hearing that it's illegal to fish from the back of a camel in the state of Idaho. I suspect this is someone playing a joke, or perhaps it's illegal to fish while riding an animal, but it just sounds funny to talk about camels (I.e. Perhaps it's E | date=5 April 2009 }}</ref><ref>General Laws of the State of Idaho, Chapter 65 H.B., #214, Section 14</ref>
;False
;False
*Supposedly, a law in Iowa limits the length of a kiss to five minutes. The law does not appear in the Iowa Legislature, but circulates online.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/iowa-kiss-five-minutes-law/|title=FACT CHECK: Law Limits Kisses to Five Minutes in Iowa|author=Dan Evon|date=12 April 2016|work=Snopes.com|access-date=31 December 2018}}</ref>
*Supposedly, a law in Iowa limits the length of a kiss to five minutes. The law does not appear in the Iowa Legislature, but circulates online.<ref>{{cite web |author=Evon |first=Dan |date=12 April 2016 |title=FACT CHECK: Law Limits Kisses to Five Minutes in Iowa |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/iowa-kiss-five-minutes-law/ |access-date=31 December 2018 |work=[[Snopes]]}}</ref>
*That "[[North American fraternity and sorority housing|sorority houses]] are illegal since more than a certain number of single females living together constitutes a brothel" has been debunked as fake.<ref name="SN">{{cite web|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/house-of-the-writhing-son/ |title=Urban Legends Reference Pages: Brothel Laws Ban Sorority |author=Barbara Mikkelson|publisher=Snopes.com |date=23 June 2011|access-date=2012-09-03}}</ref>
*That "[[North American fraternity and sorority housing|sorority houses]] are illegal since more than a certain number of single females living together constitutes a brothel" has been debunked as fake.<ref name="SN">{{cite web |author=Mikkelson |first=Barbara |date=23 June 2011 |title=Urban Legends Reference Pages: Brothel Laws Ban Sorority |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/house-of-the-writhing-son/ |access-date=2012-09-03 |website=[[Snopes]] |publisher=}}</ref>
*A myth that it is illegal to hunt camels in Arizona is loosely inspired by the true story of the [[United States Camel Corps]], which tested the use of camels in the Southwest United States.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/10-arizona-dumb-laws-that-are-complete-horse-s-t-6666052|title=10 Arizona "Dumb Laws" That Are Complete Horse S**t|last=Hendley|first=Matthew|work=[[Phoenix New Times]]|date=2013-09-11|access-date=2018-12-31}}</ref>
*A myth that it is illegal to hunt camels in Arizona is loosely inspired by the true story of the [[United States Camel Corps]], which tested the use of camels in the Southwest United States.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/10-arizona-dumb-laws-that-are-complete-horse-s-t-6666052|title=10 Arizona "Dumb Laws" That Are Complete Horse S**t|last=Hendley|first=Matthew|work=[[Phoenix New Times]]|date=2013-09-11|access-date=2018-12-31}}</ref>


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;True
;True
*In Wisconsin, [[lutefisk]] is specifically exempted from being considered a "toxic substance" under an employees' right to know law.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/101/i/58/2/j/2 |title=Wis. Stat. §101.58(2)(j)(2)(f) (2005)|access-date=2021-11-19}}</ref>
*In Wisconsin, [[lutefisk]] is specifically exempted from being considered a "toxic substance" under an employees' right to know law.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/101/i/58/2/j/2 |title=Wis. Stat. §101.58(2)(j)(2)(f) (2005)|access-date=2021-11-19}}</ref>
* [[Silly String]] ban on [[Halloween]] in [[Los Angeles]]. The ban was put in place in 2004 due to cleanup costs exceeding {{Currency|200000}}.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
*Most states have laws on the books making it a felony to enter a private business while wearing a mask, unless in receipt of written permission from the business owner. Some states have laws making it a crime to wear a mask while carrying an otherwise legally allowed concealed weapon.
True


=== Other countries ===
=== Other countries ===
;False
Supposedly, it is illegal to be fat in Japan. That is untrue, but citizens between 45 and 74 must have their waists measured and might be given medical guidance if their waist exceeds a certain measure. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Mikkelson |first=Kim LaCapria, David |date=2015-01-02 |title=FACT CHECK: Is It Illegal to Be Fat in Japan? |url=https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/the-metabo-law/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=Snopes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fader |first=Carole |title=Fact Check: Is it illegal for Japanese residents to be overweight? |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/reason/2016/09/16/fact-check-it-illegal-japanese-residents-be-overweight/985445007/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=The Florida Times-Union |language=en-US}}</ref>
;True
;True
*In Jamaica,<ref>{{Cite web|title = Police warn against wearing of camouflage clothing - News|url = http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Police-warn-against-wearing-of-camouflage-clothing_14743994|website = Jamaica Observer|accessdate = 2016-01-06}}</ref> Saudi Arabia<ref>{{Cite web|title = Unusual laws British travellers fall foul of|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/11678900/Unusual-laws-British-travellers-fall-foul-of.html|website = Telegraph.co.uk|accessdate = 2016-01-06}}</ref> and [[Barbados]]<ref>{{Cite web|title = Barbados travel advice - GOV.UK|url = https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/barbados/local-laws-and-customs|website = gov.uk|accessdate = 2016-01-06}}</ref> it is illegal to dress in camouflage clothing.
*In [[Jamaica]],<ref>{{Cite web|title = Police warn against wearing of camouflage clothing - News|url = http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Police-warn-against-wearing-of-camouflage-clothing_14743994|website = Jamaica Observer|accessdate = 2016-01-06}}</ref> [[Saudi Arabia]]<ref>{{Cite web|title = Unusual laws British travellers fall foul of|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/11678900/Unusual-laws-British-travellers-fall-foul-of.html|website = Telegraph.co.uk|accessdate = 2016-01-06}}</ref> and [[Barbados]]<ref>{{Cite web|title = Barbados travel advice - GOV.UK|url = https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/barbados/local-laws-and-customs|website = gov.uk|accessdate = 2016-01-06}}</ref> it is illegal to dress in [[Military camouflage|camouflage clothing]].
*[[Chewing gum sales ban in Singapore]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/things-that-are-illegal-in-singapore-2015-7?IR=T | title=16 odd things that are illegal in Singapore | accessdate=23 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/picturegalleries/7902497/The-worlds-strangest-laws.html |title=The world's strangest laws |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref><ref name=fco>{{citation |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/brits-caught-out-by-unusual-laws-and-customs |title=Brits caught out by unusual laws and customs |publisher=Foreign & Commonwealth Office |date=28 August 2013}}</ref>
*[[Chewing gum sales ban in Singapore]].<ref>{{cite web |title=16 odd things that are illegal in Singapore |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/things-that-are-illegal-in-singapore-2015-7?IR=T |website=[[Business Insider]] |accessdate=23 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2010-07-21 |title=The world's strangest laws |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/picturegalleries/7902497/The-worlds-strangest-laws.html}}</ref><ref name=fco>{{citation |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/brits-caught-out-by-unusual-laws-and-customs |title=Brits caught out by unusual laws and customs |publisher=Foreign & Commonwealth Office |date=28 August 2013}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
Line 51: Line 53:


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
*{{citation |title=The Book of Strange and Curious Legal Oddities |author=Nathan Belofsky |year=2010 |isbn=9781101188965}}
*{{citation |title=The Book of Strange and Curious Legal Oddities |author=Nathan Belofsky |year=2010 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=9781101188965}}
*{{citation |title=Donkeys Can't Sleep in Bathtubs and other crazy laws |author=Susan Dach |year=1993 |isbn=9780893752644 |url=https://archive.org/details/donkeyscantsleep00susa }}
*{{citation |title=Donkeys Can't Sleep in Bathtubs and other crazy laws |author=Susan Dach |year=1993 |publisher=Watermill Press |isbn=9780893752644 |url=https://archive.org/details/donkeyscantsleep00susa }}
*{{citation |url=http://lawcommission.justice.gov.uk/docs/Legal_Oddities.pdf |title=Legal Curiosities: Fact or Fable? |publisher=Law Commission |year=2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629195445/http://lawcommission.justice.gov.uk/docs/Legal_Oddities.pdf |archivedate=2015-06-29 }}
*{{citation |url=http://lawcommission.justice.gov.uk/docs/Legal_Oddities.pdf |title=Legal Curiosities: Fact or Fable? |publisher=Law Commission |year=2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629195445/http://lawcommission.justice.gov.uk/docs/Legal_Oddities.pdf |archivedate=2015-06-29 }}
*{{citation |title=The Strange Laws of Old England |author=Nigel Cawthorne |year=2013 |isbn=9780749954154}}
*{{citation |title=The Strange Laws of Old England |author=Nigel Cawthorne |year=2013 |publisher=Little, Brown |isbn=9780749954154}}
*{{citation |title=Wacky Laws, Weird Decisions, & Strange Statutes |author1=K. R. Hobbie |author2=Ted LeValliant |author3=Marcel Theroux |year=2004 |isbn=9781402716706 |url=https://archive.org/details/wackylawsweirdde00lind }}
*{{citation |title=Wacky Laws, Weird Decisions, & Strange Statutes |author1=K. R. Hobbie |author2=Ted LeValliant |author3=Marcel Theroux |year=2004 |publisher=Sterling Publishing Company |isbn=9781402716706 |url=https://archive.org/details/wackylawsweirdde00lind }}
*{{citation |title=You May Not Tie an Alligator to a Fire Hydrant |author1=Jeff Koon |author2=Andy Powell |year=2002 |isbn=9780743230650 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780743230650 }}
*{{citation |title=You May Not Tie an Alligator to a Fire Hydrant |author1=Jeff Koon |author2=Andy Powell |year=2002 |publisher=Free Press |isbn=9780743230650 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780743230650 }}
*{{citation|first1=Barbara|last1=Seuling|title=You can't eat peanuts in church and other little-known laws.|year=1975|publisher=Doubleday|location=Garden City, N.Y.|isbn=9780385013932|edition=1st}}
*{{citation|first1=Barbara|last1=Seuling|title=You can't eat peanuts in church and other little-known laws.|year=1975|publisher=Doubleday|location=Garden City, N.Y.|isbn=9780385013932|edition=1st}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Dumb Laws}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Strange Laws}}
[[Category:Legal codes]]
[[Category:Legal codes]]
[[Category:Humour]]
[[Category:Humour]]
[[Category:Urban legends]]
[[Category:Law-related lists|Strange laws]]
[[Category:Law-related lists|Dumb laws]]
[[Category:Lists of things considered unusual|Laws]]
[[Category:Lists of things considered unusual|Laws]]

Latest revision as of 19:33, 2 December 2024

Strange laws, also called weird laws, dumb laws, futile laws, unusual laws, unnecessary laws, legal oddities, or legal curiosities, are laws that are perceived to be useless, humorous or obsolete, or are no longer applicable (in regard to current culture or modern law). A number of books and websites purport to list dumb laws. These are in many cases based on misunderstandings, exaggerations or outright fabrications.[1]

Veracity

[edit]

Laws presented as "dumb laws", "strange laws", or "weird laws", are laws that are perceived by the speaker to be useless, no longer applicable (in regard to current culture or modern law), or humorous. A large number of hoax or exaggerated dumb laws are circulated on the internet and in the print media.[1][2]

Several books have been written and numerous listicles exist on the internet purporting to list "dumb laws" in various jurisdictions. The "dumb laws" are also often circulated via e-mail chain letters.[1]

Examples

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This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Some purported strange laws do not exist, no longer exist, or were never passed, while others are actually in effect, although they are often exaggerated or misrepresented in popular culture. Sometimes similar laws, such as a prohibition of dying (typically in certain buildings and local areas), really exist in some places, but are mere urban legends in other places. Some compilers confuse the circumstances in which a defendant was convicted under a more general statute, such as a noise ordinance or disorderly conduct, as the text of the law itself. Others may fabricate a purported law as a copyright trap.

European Union

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Further information: Euromyth

A lot of purportedly strange laws within European Union law do not actually exist, or are wildly exaggerated; these are referred to as Euromyths.

Misrepresented
  • Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2257/94, sometimes referred to in the media as the 'bendy banana law': the alleged ban on curved bananas is a long-standing, famous, and stereotypical claim[3][4][5][6] that is used in headlines to typify the Euromyth.[7][8] Amongst other issues of acceptable quality and standards, the regulation does actually specify minimum dimensions. It also states that bananas shall be free from deformation or abnormal curvature.[9] However, the provisions relating to shape apply fully only to bananas sold as Extra class; slight defects of shape (but not size) are permitted in Class I and Class II bananas. However, a proposal banning straight bananas and other misshapen fruits was brought before the European Parliament in 2008 and defeated.[10]

United Kingdom

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In March 2013, the Law Commission (England and Wales), which is tasked with abolishing obsolete and unnecessary laws to reform the legal system, published an informal document answering some frequently asked questions about the veracity of some alleged "legal oddities" or "legal curiosities".[11]

False
  • The Law Commission wrote that there is no law making it "legal to shoot a Welshman with a longbow on Sunday in the Cathedral Close in Hereford; or inside the city walls of Chester after midnight; or a Scotsman within the city walls of York, other than on a Sunday."[11] These three related urban legends frequently show up in lists of strange laws,[12] but there is no historical basis for them other than an alleged 1403 ordinance of the city of Chester, which supposedly imposed a curfew on Welshmen in the city in response to the Glyndŵr Rising. The Law Commission stated: "It is illegal to shoot a Welsh or Scottish (or any other) person regardless of the day, location or choice of weaponry".[11] In 2016, BBC News claimed these three laws were "of course" and "obviously" not applicable in modern times (neither confirming nor denying whether such laws actually exist or have ever existed),[12] although a 2006 BBC News article mentioned the two alleged anti-Welsh laws amongst a number of "strange-but-true laws" without giving any hint as to their modern non-applicability.[13]
True

United States

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After aerosol string cost $200,000/year to clean up, Los Angeles passed an ordinance banning Silly String in Hollywood during Halloween.[18][19]
Misrepresented
  • Supposedly, there is a law stating that one cannot fish while riding on the back of a camel in Idaho. A 1917 legal provision in the "Fish and Game rules" did ban riding on any animal while fishing, whatever that animal might be; this restriction was later removed, so it is no longer true.[20][21]
False
  • Supposedly, a law in Iowa limits the length of a kiss to five minutes. The law does not appear in the Iowa Legislature, but circulates online.[22]
  • That "sorority houses are illegal since more than a certain number of single females living together constitutes a brothel" has been debunked as fake.[23]
  • A myth that it is illegal to hunt camels in Arizona is loosely inspired by the true story of the United States Camel Corps, which tested the use of camels in the Southwest United States.[24]
Never passed
True

Other countries

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False

Supposedly, it is illegal to be fat in Japan. That is untrue, but citizens between 45 and 74 must have their waists measured and might be given medical guidance if their waist exceeds a certain measure. [28][29]

True

References

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  1. ^ a b c Owens, Kelly (24 April 2018). "It's Illegal to Do What? Strange Laws and Why They Exist". Marquette University Law School Faculty Blog. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  2. ^ For example, Reynolds, Patrick; Susan Dach (1993). Donkeys Can't Sleep in Bathtubs and Other Crazy Laws. [Mahwah, N.J.]: Watermill Press. ISBN 0-89375-264-9. among others.
  3. ^ "Straight bananas and tea-bag consultations". The Economist. 24 August 2007. Some are entirely invented for excitable journalists—'Mumbai mix'—while others are tenuously connected to facts, such as the most famous Euromyth of them all, straight bananas.
  4. ^ "Euromyths: Fact and fiction". CNN. 8 June 2004. Mother of all euromyths: Bananas must not be excessively curved ... 'Some wise cracker asked: "What does this mean for the curvature of bananas?"' recalled one EU official. The question stuck and a myth was born.
  5. ^ "Guide to the best euromyths". BBC. 23 March 2007.
  6. ^ "Euromyths – time to set the record straight". European Commission. 23 August 2007.
  7. ^ Andrew Duff. "Food, drink and straight bananas". Archived from the original on 22 May 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
  8. ^ Commission of the European Communities (16 September 1994). "COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2257/94 of 16 September 1994 laying down quality standards for bananas". Retrieved 22 September 2009.
  9. ^ "Consolidated text of regulation (as amended)".
  10. ^ BBC (25 March 2010). "Attempt at EU-wide 'wonky fruit and veg' ban fails". BBC News.
  11. ^ a b Bethan Bell (8 May 2016). "Buried diggers and knighted meat: Stubborn urban legends". BBC News. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  12. ^ "Where mince pies break the law..." BBC News. 23 December 2006. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  13. ^ "UK chooses 'most ludicrous laws'". BBC. 7 November 2007.
  14. ^ a b "Legal Curiosities: Fact or Fable?" (PDF). Law Commission. March 2013.
  15. ^ King Alfred the Great and Shaftesbury Abbey'-Simon Keynes. Dorset County Council. 1999
  16. ^ "The UK's strangest laws that are still enforced". The Independent. 8 September 2016. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022.
  17. ^ a b "Silly String Banned In Hollywood This Halloween" (Press release). Los Angeles Police Department. 28 October 2004. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  18. ^ a b City of Los Angeles Ordinance No. 176176, passed August 18, 2004. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  19. ^ "I keep hearing that it's illegal to fish from the back of a camel in the state of Idaho. I suspect this is someone playing a joke, or perhaps it's illegal to fish while riding an animal, but it just sounds funny to talk about camels (I.e. Perhaps it's E". 5 April 2009.
  20. ^ General Laws of the State of Idaho, Chapter 65 H.B., #214, Section 14
  21. ^ Evon, Dan (12 April 2016). "FACT CHECK: Law Limits Kisses to Five Minutes in Iowa". Snopes. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  22. ^ Mikkelson, Barbara (23 June 2011). "Urban Legends Reference Pages: Brothel Laws Ban Sorority". Snopes. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  23. ^ Hendley, Matthew (11 September 2013). "10 Arizona "Dumb Laws" That Are Complete Horse S**t". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  24. ^ Lily Hay Newman (20 October 2013), Bizarre Regional Laws in the U.S. Are Even Weirder Than You Thought
  25. ^ Alasdair Wilkins (31 January 2012), The Eccentric Crank Who Tried To Legislate The Value of Pi
  26. ^ "Wis. Stat. §101.58(2)(j)(2)(f) (2005)". Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  27. ^ Mikkelson, Kim LaCapria, David (2 January 2015). "FACT CHECK: Is It Illegal to Be Fat in Japan?". Snopes. Retrieved 19 June 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ Fader, Carole. "Fact Check: Is it illegal for Japanese residents to be overweight?". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  29. ^ "Police warn against wearing of camouflage clothing - News". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  30. ^ "Unusual laws British travellers fall foul of". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  31. ^ "Barbados travel advice - GOV.UK". gov.uk. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  32. ^ "16 odd things that are illegal in Singapore". Business Insider. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  33. ^ "The world's strangest laws". The Telegraph. 21 July 2010.
  34. ^ Brits caught out by unusual laws and customs, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, 28 August 2013

Further reading

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