Compendia . . .
from J. A. Hirsch
Bizarre Laws
5 February, 2007
Susann has learned about these Bizarre Laws. She found so many of them that I'm devoting this whole "Compendia"
to her find.
Alabama
It is illegal to play dominoes on Sunday.
It is illegal to wear a fake mustache that causes laughter in church.
Alaska
In Fairbanks, it is illegal to feed alcoholic beverages to a moose.
While it is legal to shoot bears, waking a sleeping bear for the purpose of taking a photograph is prohibited.
Arkansas
In Fayetteville, it is illegal to kill "any living creature."
School teachers who bob their hair may forfeit their pay raises.
ARIZONA (This state courtesy of Sami)
A decree declares that anyone caught stealing soap must wash himself with it until it is all used up.
It is illegal for men and women over the age of 18 to have less than one missing tooth visible when smiling.
There is a possible 25 years in prison for cutting down a cactus.
Donkeys cannot sleep in bathtubs.
It is unlawful to refuse a person a glass of water.
Hunting camels is prohibited.
Any misdemeanor committed while wearing a red mask is considered a felony (This goes back to the days of the Wild West).
You may not have more than two dildos per household.
Cards may not be played in the street with a Native American.
California
It is a misdemeanor to shoot at any kind of game from a moving vehicle, unless the target is a whale.
In Pacific Grove, "molesting" butterflies can result in a $500 fine.
It is illegal to set a mousetrap without a hunting license.
In Long Beach, it is illegal to curse on a mini-golf course.
It is illegal to cry on the witness stand in Los Angeles courts.
Colorado
In Logan County, it is illegal for a man to kiss a woman while she is asleep.
Connecticut
In Hartford, it is illegal to educate a dog.
Delaware
Getting married on a dare is grounds for an annulment.
It is illegal to fly over any body of water, unless one is carrying sufficient supplies of food and drink.
Florida
Unmarried women who parachute on Sundays may be jailed.
In Sarasota, it is illegal to sing while wearing a bathing suit.
Georgia
All males in the state between the ages of 16 and 50 are required to work on public roads.
In Quitman, it is illegal for a chicken to cross a road.
It is illegal to change the clothes on a storefront mannequin unless the shades are down.
Hawaii
It is illegal to appear in public wearing only swimming trunks.
It is illegal to own a mongoose without a permit.
Idaho
In Pocatello, "It is prohibited for pedestrians and motorists to display frowns,grimaces, scowls, threatening and
glowering looks, gloomy and depressed facial appearances, generally all of which reflect unfavorably upon the city's
reputation."
Boxes of candy given as romantic gifts must weigh more than 50 pounds. YES!
Illinois
In Chicago, it is illegal to fish in one's pajamas.
In Chicago, it is illegal to take a French poodle to the opera.
According to state law, it is illegal to speak English. The officially recognized language is "American."
In Gurnee, it is illegal for women weighing more than 200 pounds to ride horses in shorts.
In Joliet, it is illegal to mispronounce the name Joliet.
Indiana
Monkeys are forbidden to smoke cigarettes in South Bend.
In Gary, it is illegal to attend the theater within four hours of eating garlic.
The Stepford Wives is banned in a Warsaw school.
Iowa
State law forbids any establishment from charging admission to see a one-armed piano player.
In Fort Madison, firemen are required to practice for 15 minutes before attending a fire.
Kansas
In Wichita, it is illegal to carry a concealed bean snapper.
In Lang, it is illegal to ride a mule down Main Street in August, unless the animal is wearing a straw hat.
In Natoma, it is illegal to throw a knife at anyone wearing a striped shirt.
Kentucky
It is illegal to remarry the same man four times.
In Kentucky it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon more than 6 feet long.
Louisiana
It is considered "simple assault" to bite someone in New Orleans; it is "aggravated assault" if the biter has false teeth.
Maine
In Portland, it is illegal for men to tickle women under the chin with feather dusters.
The most money one can legally win gambling is three dollars.
In Rumford, it is illegal for a tenant to bite his/her landlord
Maryland
It's illegal to mistreat oysters.
It's illegal to play Randy Newman's "Short People" on the radio.
Massachusetts
State legislation forbids dueling with water pistols.
In Boston, it is illegal to take a bath unless one has been ordered by a physician to do so.
In 1659, the state outlawed Christmas.
Michigan
A state law stipulates that a woman's hair legally belongs to her husband
Under state law, dentists are officially classified as "mechanics."
Minnesota
Women may face up to 30 days in jail if they impersonate Santa Claus.
It's illegal to tease skunks.
Mississippi
In Truro, a would-be groom must "prove himself manly" prior to marriage by hunting and killing either six blackbirds
or three crows.
Missouri
In Saco, women are forbidden from wearing hats that "might frighten timid persons, children or animals."
Missouri considers drunkenness an "inalienable right."
New Mexico
In Raton, it is illegal for a woman to ride horseback down a public street with a kimono on.
The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary is banned in Carlsbad.
New York
In New York City, "It is disorderly conduct for one man to greet another on the street by placing the end of his thumb
against the tip of his nose, at the same time extending and wiggling the fingers of his hand."
Nevada
In Eureka, men who wear moustaches are forbidden from kissing women
New Jersey
It is against the law to "frown" at a police officer.
In Newark, it is illegal to sell ice cream after 6pm, unless the customer has a note from his doctor.
North Carolina
In Charlotte, women must have their bodies covered by at least 16 yards of cloth at all times
North Dakota
It is illegal to lie down and fall asleep with your shoes on.
Oklahoma
People who make "ugly faces" at dogs may be fined and/or jailed.
Oregon
Salem has barred women's wrestling.
In Marion, ministers are forbidden from eating garlic or onions before delivering a sermon.
Pennsylvania
Any motorist who sights a team of horses coming toward him must pull well off the road, cover his car with a blanket
or canvas that blends with the countryside, and let the horses pass. If the horses appear skittish, the motorist must
take his car apart, piece by piece, and hide it under the nearest bushes.
Rhode Island
It is illegal to throw pickle juice on a trolley
South Carolina
No horses are allowed into Fountain Inn unless they are wearing pants.
In Charleston, all carriage horses must wear diapers.
South Dakota
Movies that show police officers being struck, beaten, or treated in an offensive manner are forbidden.
Tennessee
It is illegal to use a lasso to catch a fish.
In Dyersburg, it is illegal for a woman to call a man for a date.
In Memphis restaurants, it is illegal to give any pie to fellow diners. It is also illegal to take unfinished pie home.
All pie must be eaten on the premises.
Also in Memphis, it is illegal for a woman to drive by herself; "a man must walk or run in front of the vehicle,
waving a red flag in order to warn approaching pedestrians and motorists
Texas
The entire Encyclopedia Britannica is banned in Texas because it contains a formula for making beer at home.
A recently passed anticrime law requires criminals to give their victims 24 hours notice, either orally or in writing,
and to explain the nature of the crime to be committed. It is illegal to milk another person's cow.
In Houston, it is illegal to sell Limburger cheese on Sunday.
In LeFors, it is illegal to take more than three swallows of beer while standing.
In Mesquite, it is illegal for children to have unusual haircuts
Utah
Birds have the right of way on all highways.
A husband is responsible for every criminal act committed by his wife while she is in his presence.
In Monroe, daylight must be visible between partners on a dance floor.
Vermont
Women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth.
It is illegal to deny the existence of God.
It is illegal to whistle underwater.
Virginia
In Lebanon, it is illegal to kick your wife out of bed.
Washington
It is illegal to pretend that one's parents are rich.
Wisconsin
In St. Croix, women are not allowed to wear anything red in public.
Cheese making requires a cheese maker's license; Limburger cheese making requires a master cheese maker's license.
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