101 Strangest Laws From Around The World
Introduction
Over the years I've heard some strange laws from around the world and usually took some of them with as an urban myth. Some of these so called "laws" are so extreme that you have to assume they are fake, or so old that they make little sense in the 21st century.
This afternoon whilst going to the shop for milk, I was lucky enough to witness a strange law (almost) in effect. I;m a resident of England, and we have out fair share of strange laws. This one in particular seems to be common knowledge, except to the police officer in question.
I overheard a pregnant woman asking a police officer for his helmet because she needed a pee.I laughed, a lot, especially when he flipped out and thought she was trying to make fun of him. The law in question states that "a pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants – even, if she so requests, in a policeman’s helmet"
This got me thinking of some of the other laws that are just plain strange! This is 101 of those laws, and if you know of any more (please don't make them up) leave them in the comments at the bottom.
United Kingdom
I'm sure there's a law against that officer...
United Kingdom
- In London, it is illegal for a City cab to carry rabid dogs or corpses.
- In England, it is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament.
- It England, it is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the Queen upside down.
- Under the UK’s Tax Avoidance Schemes Regulations 2006, it is illegal not to tell the taxman anything you don’t want him to know, yet you don’t have to tell him anything you don’t mind him knowing.
- Navy ships that enter London Port must provide a barrel of rum to the Constable of the Tower of London.
- A pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants, even, even in a policeman’s helmet.
- In Lancashire, no person is permitted after being asked to stop by a constable on the beach front to incite a dog to bark.
- All males over the age of 14 must carry out two hours a day of longbow practice.
- Freemen are allowed to take a flock of sheep across London Bridge without being charged the toll, they are also allowed to drive geese down Cheapside.
- In the UK, a man who needs to relieve himself in public can do so only if he aims for his rear wheel of his own car and keeps his right hand on the vehicle.
- In York, it is legal to kill a Scotsman within the ancient city boundary, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow.
- In London, it is illegal to flag down a taxi if you have the plague.
- If a dead whale is found on the British coast, the head is legally the property of the King, and the tail belongs to the Queen - to use the bones for corsets.
- In England, in 1865, any self propelled carriage on a British highway had to have a crew of three men. One had to walk in front of the carriage with a red flag to warn horse drawn vehicles of it's approach.
- In London, city cabs by law must carry a bale of hay at all times.
- In Britain, in 1888, if your push bike was in motion, you legally had to constantly ring a bell.
- In Birmingham, after sundown it is against the law for a man and a woman to partake in sexual intercourse on church steps.
- In London, it is illegal to throw a stick for your dog, use an offensive powder like pepper on your jacket potato or use a camera tripod in any park.
- In London, domestic violence is legal as long as it's before 9pm and does not disturb your neighbours.
- In London, in the 19th Century, it was illegal to impersonate a Chelsea pensioner. The punishment was death.
- In England, in 1837, if a man kissed a woman against her will, she could legally bit off his nose.
- In Chester, the Welsh are banned before sun up and after sun set.
United States of America
A good solution to excessive noise, but sadly not a law.
United States of America
- In Alexandria, Minneapolis, it is illegal for a man to have sexual intercourse with a woman with sardines on his breath.
- In California, in 1986, Judge Samuel King became so annoyed with jurors who were absent from a case due to massive rain fall, that he issued a decree which stated "I hereby order that it cease raining by Tuesday." It stopped raining on Tuesday and California suffered a 5 year drought. 5 year latter in 1991, the very same judge then decreed "Rain shall fall in California beginning February 27th." On that same day, California suffered the heaviest rainfall in over ten years.
- In Arizona, hunting camels is against the law.
- In Indiana in the 50's, they made anything based on Robin Hood Illegal because they thought he was a communist.
- In Minnesota, hanging male and female under garments on the same washing line.
- North Carolina has made it illegal to swear in front of dead people.
- In Iowa, horses are breaking the law if they eat a fire hydrant.
- Judge J.H. Logan from California, made the Loganberry by crossing a cultivated raspberry with a wild blackberry.
- In South Bend, Indiana, a monkey was found guilty of smoking which was against the law at the time.
- In San Diego, public schools have banned hypnotism.
- In Florida having sexual intercourse with a porcupine is illegal.
- In Kingsville, Texas, it is illegal for pigs to have sexual intercourse on airport property.
- In Willowdale, Oregon, while engaging in sexual intercourse with a woman, it is illegal for a man to curse.
- In Hastings, Nebraska, hotels must legally provide you with nightclothes.
- In Ames, Iowa, men lying in bed with their wives must not have more than 3 swigs of beer.
- In Oblong, Illinois, on your wedding day it is illegal to make love whilst hunting or fishing.
- In Tremonton, Utah,a woman is not legally allowed to have sexual intercourse with a man in an ambulance.
- In Conorsville, Wisconsin, during sexual intercourse, it is against the law for a man to fire his gun whilst the woman in having an orgasm.
- In Chico, California, you'll receive a $500 fine for letting off a nuclear bomb in the city limits.
- In Massachusetts, your breaking the law if you consume more than 3 sandwiches at a wake.
- In Louisiana, using dentures to bite someone moves it up to aggravated assault.
- In Kentucky, carry ice cream cones in your pocket is illegal.
- In International Falls, Minnesota, you can be fined if you let your dog chase a cat up a telegraph pole.
- In Iowa, after 5 mins of kissing your breaking the law.
- In Illinois, giving a lighted cigar to a pet is illegal.
- In the USA 24 states say that if your husband is impotent its grounds for a divorce.
- In Miami, Florida, imitating animals is illegal.
- In Oxford, Ohio,a woman undressing in front of a picture of a man is breaking the law.
- In Baltimore, Maryland, taking a lion to the cinema is illegal. .
- In Washington, pretending to have wealthy parents is illegal.
- In Texas, if you are going to commit a crime, you legally have to give 24 hours notice to the police.
- In Oklahoma, you could face prison if you make faces at a dog
- In Maryland, Randy Newman's song 'Short people' is still banned on the radio.
- In St. Louis, Missouri, if a woman is in her night clothes, it is illegal for a fireman to rescue her.
- In Providence, Rhode Island, selling toothpaste and a toothbrush to the same customer on a Sunday is illegal.
- In Logan County, Colorado, kissing a woman while she sleeps is illegal.
- In Alexandria, Minnesota, having garlic or onions on your breath means you legally can't have sex with your wife.
- In Eureka, Nevada, if you have a moustach it's against the law for you to kiss a woman.
- In Vermont, for a woman to wear false teeth she first must get written permission from her husband.
- In Boulder, Colorado, your breaking the law if you own a pet.
- In Kentucky, your breaking the law if you carry a concealed weapon over 6ft in length.
- In Florida, on Sunday's, unmarried woman face jail if the go parachuting.
- In Miami, Florida, skateboarding is against the law inside a police station.
- In Ohio, getting a fish drunk is against state law.
- In Alabama, your breaking the law if you are in control of a motor vehicle if wearing a blindfold.
The Rest of the World
...
The Rest of the World
- In Victoria, Australia, you need a licensed electrician to change a light bulb.
- In Victoria Australia after mid day on Sunday, it's illegal to wear pink hot pants.
- In France, it's illegal to name a pig Napoleon.
- In Indonesia, the punishment for masturbation is death by decapitation.
- In San Salvador, drunk drivers can be sentenced to death by firing squad.
- In Bahrain, male doctors only legally examine a woman's genitals through a mirror.
- In Afghanistan the Taliban banned women from wearing white socks, for fear men might find them attractive.
- In Lebanon men are allowed to engage in sexual intercourse with female animals. If caught with a male animal the punishment is death.
- In 1837, Egypt banned male belly dancing as it caused mass rioting.
- During World War I if you were found to be homosexual you were executed.
- Hundreds of years ago you were instantly executed if you tried to leave Japan.
- In Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada, in 1917, tying a male horse next to a female horse was illegal.
- In Singapore chewing gum is illegal.
- In Paraguay you can legally duel, as long as both participating players are blood donors.
- In Milan, Italy, unless going to a hospital or funeral, you have to smile or face a fine.
- In Switzerland you legally have to live within 200m of a nuclear bomb shelter.
- In Burma it is against the law to access the Internet. Anyone doing so faces prison.
- In Bangladesh you face prison time for cheating at school.
- Until 1984 in Belgium, you had to choose your child's name off a list of 1500.
- In 1935 Romania, for fear of scaring young children, Mickey Mouse was banned.
- Due to lack of pants, Donald Duck cartoons were banned in Finland.
- The only country in the world to never. have censorship for adult films is Belgium.
- In 1979 Iraq banned karate movies. .
- It was once illegal to own a pet dog in Iceland.
- In 1471 Switzerland, the Cockerel was found guilty of "In defiance of natural law" by laying an egg. It was executed.
- In Stelvio, Italy, 1519, a gang of moles that had damaged crops was given an arrest warrant. They never showed up for court.
- In Seville, Spain, in 1983, a German Sheppard was arrested for stealing woman's handbags.
- In Turkey, it was illegal to drink coffee during the 16th and 17th century. It was punishable by death.
-2000 years ago in Rome, Julius Caesar banned chariots from Rome city centre to ease congestion.
- In Switzerland, it use to be illegal to slam a car door.
-In Denmark, you legally have to check under your car for children asleep before you start it.
-In Denmark it is not against the law to escape from prison.
-In Bermuda, private cars were illegal until 1948
-In the days of Sparta, if you were male you legally had to consume 2 pounds of meat a day.
I hope you laughed at these as much as I did, and remember, if you know of any more funny or strange laws, leave them in the comments below.
Comments
bob on August 09, 2020:
noo way
GalaxyRat on April 21, 2017:
Funny ;)
Gilbert Arevalo from Hacienda Heights, California on February 21, 2017:
Very amusing laws around the world, I'm sure you had great fun collecting them all together.
Frances Metcalfe from The Limousin, France on January 01, 2017:
I knew some of the UK ones. Crazy!
andrea on November 29, 2014:
that italian thing never existed -_-
Ken Westmoreland from Taunton, Somerset on October 17, 2014:
South Africa is not the only country in the world where you have to pay for a licence to have a TV - the UK has always had one, as have many other European countries, as indeed does Japan.
What is stranger is that South Africa didn't have TV at all until 1976, and there was no advertising on TV until 1978. However, most revenue for the SABC (state broadcaster) comes from advertising on TV and radio. Australia got rid of the licence fee forty years ago and the ABC is funded directly by the government through taxes, although its TV and radio services are commercial free.
zia on September 18, 2014:
in philippines if you steal coins you face the prison cell. and if you still billions you face hospital arrest.
sage on August 14, 2014:
i didn't know the ones about victoria, and i live there!!!! not sure if they are true though cos i think ive seen people do both
Richard on April 07, 2014:
In Texas, its illegal to drink wine so you can sleep at night
Person on March 22, 2014:
It is Illegal to kill a sasquatch in British columbia, Canada
Romeos Quill from Lincolnshire, England on February 04, 2014:
How about these examples for strangeness in law-breaking.....
The first recorded ' animal ' trial was in 864 A.D., when the Diet of Worms decreed that a hive of bees which had stung a man to death should be suffocated.
Also, another weird animal case was that of the Italian caterpillars which were asked to appear in court in 1659 on charges of trespassing and wilful damage to property. A copy of the summons was nailed to a tree in each of the five districts where the damage had occurred.
The accused were asked to return to the woodlands and refrain from destroying the crops. The court, in fairness, conceded the caterpillars' right to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, provided that their behaviour did not ' destroy or impair the happiness of man '. ( I'm not pulling your leg either :).
R.Q.
Hein on October 17, 2013:
In South Africa you have to have a licence to buy a TV
Romeos Quill from Lincolnshire, England on August 03, 2013:
Lol!
Luke on July 01, 2013:
Australia is the only country that it is legal to eat the animals on the Coat of Arms
and anyone can change a light bulb in a private residence but at schools, government buildings ect. a licenced electritian has to
Also No one with a criminal record can live in ACT (Austrailias Capitol Teratory)
Aleister888 on January 19, 2013:
This Hub was truly amazing, i had such a good time reading it, there truly are some crazy laws in this world haha!
CE on January 16, 2013:
In Blue Earth, Minnesota, it is illegal for children under 12 years of age to speak on the telephone unless accompanied by one of their parents?
jayceaden on May 31, 2012:
Sneakers Slippers
- We are located in Louisville, Kentucky, which is the 16th largest city in the US. We at Happy Feet take pride in providing the highest quality and most comfortable house slippers in the world.
nomadicmicmac on April 26, 2012:
In Boston Massachusetts it was illegal for native Americans to be in the city up till about ten years ago
Dian Rosita on April 26, 2012:
CORRECTION!!!
that is not true!! there is not such thing of punishment in INDONESIA.
you maybe mistaken.
I know about it well, because I'm indonesian
Bob on April 24, 2012:
It is illegal to fart in public on Sunday after 7:00 pm in Florida
????????
Speechless on March 20, 2012:
Meanwhile in Singapore...
A gathering of five or more people is considered unlawful assembly punishable by imprisonment or fine, or both.
Force or violence used by an unlawful assembly (classified as rioting) is punishable by imprisonment, fine and caning.
Picketing is considered unlawful if it is intimidating, obstructive or if it lead to a breach of the peace.
Public speeches or demonstrations are only allowed at a designated place known as The Speaker's Corner, which requires a police permit beforehand.
Authorities have the power to prevent an individual from leaving home or a building if it is deemed that that person intended or intends to be part of a demonstration.
A man having sex (regardless of consent or not) with his wife (if she happens to be below the age of 13) is considered rape.
Jacob on March 17, 2012:
This has made my day let alone helped me with a school project there is tons of awesome humor but it is scary to think all those are true
orey on March 05, 2012:
In Germany prostitutes are legal and the age of consent is 14..... I know I can't wait to go in to the foreign exchange program next year!
kate on March 02, 2012:
In oklahoma city, it is illegal to walk down the street backward whilst eating a hamburger
Sheogorath on March 02, 2012:
"In north carolina, if a man and a woman share a hotel room they are legally married."
What about two guys? The best I can get here in the UK is a civil partnership...
boo on March 01, 2012:
to any-one taking offense, lighten up obviously most of these laws are from a different era. The only one i know is that
-in Australia it is illegal to name animal you intend to eat.
Michael on February 28, 2012:
Netherlands;
It's strictly illigal to grow, own, import or sell any soft- or harddrugs. However the Dutch government tolerates to grow and own under 5 Marihuana plants at home. It is also tolerated to carry 5 grams of soft drugs.
It is illigal to sell softdrugs, however the Dutch government tolerates coffeeshops to sell small quantities (5 grams). A coffeeshop can only have a stock up to 500 grams.
Maidhc on February 27, 2012:
You forgot one of Pennsylvania's (many) strange laws: (homemade) Bake sales are illegal. :)
A on February 27, 2012:
In England it is illegal to take a photograph of someone under 18 for "sexual purposes" eg. you fancy them. But you can legally have sex with them at 16. This law was made in 2003 and people can be put on the sex offenders register for it. This is not a joke.
Melissa on February 25, 2012:
Actually anyone in Australia can change a light bulb. The law only applies to commercial places such as schools, shops, etc.
PAlash Sarkar on February 24, 2012:
"- Due to lack of pants, Donald Duck cartoons were banned in Finland"
This is false. In the year 1977, Finland was going through a tough financial crisis. The government took some steps to save money, one of them was to ban the purchasing of Donald Duck comics. Well, here is one of the many links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aku_Ankka
Simon Perkins on February 23, 2012:
I am assured by the various contributors that these are real standing laws from around the United States of America. I suspect some have been repealed, and a few may even be fictional, but I have no direct knowledge, so please don't take them too seriously - this is not a law manual! This is not in any way an attack on USA - other countries, including my own, have their share of stupid laws - you can see some of them on this page. Hope you enjoy these and remember, Law Enforcement is no joke!
Alabama:
1. It is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while operating a vehicle. [Thanks to Tiffany Dozier]
2. It is illegal to wear a fake moustache that causes laughter in church. [Thanks to Tiffany Dozier]
3. Putting salt on a railway track may be punishable by death. [Thanks to Tiffany Dozier]
4. Boogers may not be flicked into the wind. [Thanks to Tiffany Dozier]
5. You cannot chain your alligator to a fire hydrant. [Thanks to Ben Chastain]
6. Peanuts are not allowed to be sold in Lee County, Alabama after sunset on Wednesdays. [Thanks to an anonymous contributor]
7. You may not have an ice cream cone in your back pocket at any time. [Thanks to an anonymous contributor]
8. It is legal to drive the wrong way on a one way street if you have a lantern on the front of your car. [Thanks to an anonymous contributor]
Alaska:
1. You can't look at a moose from an aeroplane. [Thanks to Dave Knott]
2. Kangaroos are not allowed in barber shops at any time. [Thanks to an anonymous contributor]
3. Even though it is legal to hunt a bear, it is illegal to wake a bear and take a picture for photo opportunities. [Thanks to Kyle Brown]
4. It is an offence to push a live moose out of a moving aeroplane. [Thanks to Susan Goodgine]
5. It is State Policy that all emergencies are held to a minimum. [Thanks to Susan Goodgine]
Arkansas:
1. It is illegal to mispronounce Arkansas while in Arkansas [Thanks to Aaron Parmet for that one]
California:
1. Community leaders passed an ordinance that makes it illegal for anyone to try and stop a child from playfully jumping over puddles of water.
2. It is illegal to eat an orange in your bathtub [Thanks to Meagin Caza for that one]
3. Sunshine is guaranteed to the masses. [Thanks to Caleb Hicks]
4. A city ordinance states that a $500 fine will be given to anyone who detonates a nuclear device within city limits. [Thanks to Caleb Hicks]
Colorado:
1. It is illegal for a woman wearing a red dress to be out on the streets after 7 p.m. [Thanks to Molly Lane]
2. It is illegal to let your cat run loose in Denver unless it has a taillight. [Thanks to Krystal Stephens]
3. A dogcatcher must notify the dog, three days before they capture them, of their intentions. (I think that's also Denver) [Thanks to Krystal Stephens]
4. It is illegal to drive a black car on Sunday in Denver. [Thanks to Krystal Stephens]
Connecticut:
1. You can be stopped by the police for biking over 65 miles per hour.
2. You are not allowed to walk across a street on your hands.
3. A pickle is not officially a pickle unless it bounces [Thanks to an anonymous sender at Emaloo5489@aol.com for that one]
Florida:
1. Women may be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer, as can the salon owner.
2. A special law prohibits unmarried women from parachuting on Sunday or she shall risk arrest, fine, and/or jailing.
3. If an elephant is left tied to a parking meter, the parking fee has to be paid just as it would for a vehicle.
4. (SARASOTA) It is illegal to sing in a public place while attired in a swimsuit.
5. Men may not be seen publicly in any kind of strapless gown.
6. In Miami, it is forbidden to imitate an animal. [Thanks to Dave Knott]
7. It is illegal to fart in a public place after 6:00pm on a Thursday. [Thanks to John Andrews]
8. It is illegal to have sexual intercourse with a porcupine. [Thanks to Allison Neely]
9. It is illegal for a woman to bungie jump naked on Sunday before midday. [Thanks to Danny Giffen]
10. In Miami it is illegal to park your elephant on 8th Street on Sundays after 1pm. [Thanks to Diana E. Lopez]
11. It's illegal to purchase alcohol before 1pm on Sundays in the city of Coral Gables. [Thanks to Diana E. Lopez]
Georgia
1. It is illegal to tie a giraffe to a lamp post.[Thanks to Saz for that]
2. It is illegal to take a bath of orange peel.[Thanks to Saz for that]
3. In Peachtree City, it is illegal to be homeless. [Thanks to Kathy Doan]
Hawaii:
1. In Hawaii you will be fined if you do not own a boat. [Thanks to Renee for that]
Illinois:
Except for the first two, the following Illinois laws were kindly supplied to me by Angelique N. Morris, who also helpfully provided sources. I have simply copy/pasted her material below, with insertion of the necessary HTML code and a little different punctuation: