20 Outdated Laws That Make Absolutely No Sense Today

Have you ever heard a law and thought, “That can’t be real”? Well, hold on to your hat! We’re about to uncover 20 laws so outdated and bizarre, you’ll wonder how they’re still on the books.

Whistling Underwater Is Prohibited

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Did you know that in West Virginia, it’s illegal to whistle underwater? Yep, you read that right. It’s hard to imagine how enforcement goes down for this one. “Sorry officer, the fish were just too encouraging!” Next time you dive in, remember to keep your tunes above sea level.

It’s Illegal to Mispronounce Arkansas

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Imagine being pulled over for saying “Ar-Kansas” instead of “Ark-an-saw.” In the state of Arkansas, mispronouncing the state name is technically against the law. Thankfully, it’s not a tongue-twister that often leads to jail time. So, enunciate carefully, or you might just get a lesson in pronunciation the hard way.

Bears Are Not Allowed to Wrestle

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In Alabama, they’ve put their foot down: no bear wrestling. It’s an actual written law, which begs the question – who was wrestling bears in the first place? I guess even bears need a “no work” clause in their contracts. Stick to arm wrestling with humans if you’re looking for a challenge.

Don’t Keep Ice Cream in Your Back Pocket

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Kentucky decided that ice cream in your back pocket is a big no-no. This old law was apparently aimed at preventing horse theft. Sneaky thieves would lead horses away with the treat. Today, it just prevents sticky laundry mishaps. 

No Public Moustache Kissing

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In Indiana, if you have a moustache, it’s illegal to “habitually kiss human beings.” A clean shave is apparently the key to unrestricted affection. Moustache enthusiasts, beware! Your beloved facial hair might just mean you’re denied entry to the kissing booth.

Keep Your Sheep Off the School Bus

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Out in Montana, sheep have to find their own way to school because it’s against the law to have them on a school bus. I guess the kids will have to make do with farm animal books instead. This means no sharing your lunch seat with a fluffy classmate, no matter how baaa-dly you want to.

No Hunting on Sundays

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In Virginia, you can’t hunt on Sundays, with the exception of raccoons, which are fair game until 2:00 AM. Seems like raccoons got the short end of the stick, or perhaps the rest of the animal kingdom just needed a day off. So, for any potential Davy Crocketts out there, Saturday’s your last call.

No Gorillas in the Backseat

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Massachusetts has a very specific law on the books: no gorillas in the back seat of any car. If King Kong needs a lift, he’d better call shotgun! And let’s be honest, if you had a gorilla in your car, you’d have bigger problems than the law.

Don’t Tie a Giraffe to a Telephone Pole

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In Atlanta, they actually have a law that says you can’t tie your giraffe to a telephone pole. So, if you’re ever walking your pet giraffe in the city, remember that you can’t just tie it up like a bike. It’s better to stick to walking pets that fit on a leash, don’t you think?

No Biting While Boxing

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Utah took a stand against unruly sportsmanship by outlawing biting in boxing. Mike Tyson’s infamous move would definitely be off-limits here. It seems like a pretty reasonable law, even if it’s seldom enforced. Keep your teeth to yourself, and let the gloves do the talking.

No Playing Dominoes on Sunday

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In Alabama, dominoes is a no-go on Sundays. It’s not clear why this game was singled out, but Sunday game nights have one less option. Maybe it’s a sign to give the old board games a rest and enjoy some family time sans the clatter of tiles.

Forbidden to Sell Blue Ducklings

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If you’re in Kentucky, selling dyed baby chicks, ducklings, or rabbits is illegal. Blue ducks may be cute in cartoons, but in Kentucky, they prefer their fowl au naturel. Rainbow poultry might brighten your day, but here it’ll only darken your record.

No Cursing While Driving

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Swearing from a vehicle in Rockville, Maryland is a misdemeanor. Watch your language, or you might get more than just a honk in return. Remember, road rage is no excuse for colorful language, especially when there’s a ticket involved.

No Silly String in Southington

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Southington, Connecticut, doesn’t mess around when it comes to party fouls. They’ve banned silly string in public. Birthdays and parades must proceed with caution – and a little less mess. Keep the celebrations clean, folks, or you might just find yourself in a sticky situation.

No Slippers After 10 PM

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In New York, it’s against the law to be seen in public wearing slippers after 10 PM. Cinderella’s midnight curfew makes a bit more sense now, doesn’t it? So if you’re out for a late-night snack run, you’d better dress to impress—or at least, wear real shoes.

It’s a Crime to Share Your Netflix Password

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Sharing is caring, but not in Tennessee. It’s actually illegal to share your Netflix password there. I guess “Netflix and chill” is strictly solo in the Volunteer State. Keep your binge-watching buddies to yourself to stay on the right side of the law.

No “Fancy” Bike Riding

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In Galesburg, Illinois, they’re not fans of bike acrobatics – “fancy” bike riding is actually against the law. So save those wheelies and handlebar tricks for another place, or you might just get more attention than you bargained for.

No Stink Bombs or Fart Spray

Bad Smells
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Next time you’re at a public meeting in Nevada, remember that stink bombs, tear gas, and even fart spray are a no-go. They’ve made it illegal to keep the peace—and the pleasant scents—in town halls. So when it’s time for civic engagement, leave the gag gifts at home.

No Fortune Telling in Maryland

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Maryland draws the line at fortune telling. While you won’t be thrown in the dungeon, practicing clairvoyants should probably keep their crystal balls under wraps. It’s best to keep those predictions to yourself unless you want your future to include a fine.

No Elephant Lending

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Owning an elephant in Florida comes with a unique restriction: you’re not allowed to lend it out to your neighbor. So, if you were thinking about letting your next-door friend borrow your elephant for a day, you might want to reconsider.

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Refer to Themselves as
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