17 Bizarre Laws from the Past That Still Technically Exist
Some outdated laws refuse to fade away, remaining technically valid despite their absurdity.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Laws are meant to evolve with society, but some outdated regulations still exist in legal codes worldwide. While they may not be actively enforced, their continued presence in legal texts is both bizarre and fascinating. Here are 17 strange laws that are still technically in effect today.
1. It is Illegal to Eat Fried Chicken with a Fork in Gainesville, Georgia
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A local ordinance in Gainesville, Georgia, requires fried chicken to be eaten with your hands. Originally meant as a fun publicity stunt, the law is still technically valid, making it a crime to use utensils on your drumsticks.
2. You Must Have a Chaperone to Drive at Night in Alabama
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In Alabama, a law states that you cannot drive at night without someone waving a lantern in front of your car. This outdated rule was originally designed for horse-drawn carriages but was never officially removed.
3. No Knitting in Public in France During War Times
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In France, a centuries-old law prohibits women from knitting in public during war. The reasoning? Authorities feared they might secretly send coded messages through their stitches.
4. No Onion Soup Kissing in France
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A peculiar law in Paris once banned couples from kissing after eating onion soup. The rule was meant to prevent bad breath from ruining romantic moments, but no one enforces it today.
5. Goldfish Must Have Companions in Rome
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In Rome, keeping a goldfish in a bowl without a companion is illegal. The law was enacted to prevent animal cruelty, ensuring fish have social interaction.
6. Women Cannot Wear High Heels at Ancient Sites in Greece
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To protect historic ruins from damage, Greece enforces a law prohibiting high heels at archaeological sites. Authorities worry that pointed heels could erode fragile ancient stone surfaces.
7. Rain Cannot Be Blamed on Officials in Canada
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In Canada, a strange law prevents citizens from holding the government accountable for bad weather. While it seems unnecessary, it exists to avoid frivolous lawsuits blaming officials for natural events.
8. Chewing Gum is Banned in Singapore
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Singapore has one of the strictest laws on gum, banning its sale and importation to maintain cleanliness. Exceptions exist for medicinal gum, but anyone caught chewing in public faces hefty fines.
9. Sodas Cannot Be Sold in Schools in France
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To promote healthy eating habits, France prohibits vending machines from selling soda in schools. The rule was established to curb childhood obesity and encourage better beverage choices.
10. Men with Mustaches Cannot Kiss Women in Eureka, Nevada
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In Eureka, Nevada, a bizarre ordinance prohibits men with mustaches from kissing women. Though rarely enforced, it was originally meant to curb public displays of affection deemed improper.
11. Clowns Cannot Perform on Sundays in Alabama
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Alabama once had a law that banned clowns from performing on Sundays. It was part of older ‘blue laws’ meant to keep the Sabbath day free from certain forms of entertainment.
12. Feeding Pigeons is Illegal in Venice
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In an effort to protect historic sites, Venice banned the feeding of pigeons in St. Mark’s Square. Authorities feared that pigeon droppings were damaging the city’s ancient architecture.
13. No Getting a Fish Drunk in Ohio
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A strange Ohio law prohibits getting fish drunk. While no one is quite sure why it was enacted, it remains an official regulation in the state’s legal code.
14. Dogs Must Have a License to Bark in Little Rock, Arkansas
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Little Rock, Arkansas has a law requiring dog owners to obtain a permit if their pet barks after 6 p.m. While it is rarely enforced, it remains an amusing rule on the books.
15. It is Illegal to Make Faces at a Dog in Oklahoma
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Oklahoma once made it illegal to make ugly faces at dogs. The law was supposedly meant to prevent people from provoking animals, but its strange wording has made it a curious legal relic.
16. Toilets Must Be Installed in Pairs in Scotland
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An old law in Scotland states that public buildings must have toilets in pairs. The rule originated from Victorian-era values that emphasized social companionship even in restrooms.
17. It is Illegal to Wear Denim in North Korea
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In North Korea, wearing blue jeans is banned as they are associated with Western culture. Only black or dark-colored denim is permitted, making fashion choices surprisingly political.