20 Outdated Laws That Sound Absurd Today

Throughout history, societies have passed laws that seem absurd when viewed from a modern perspective. From taxes on beards in Russia to bans on ice cream cones in Oklahoma, these laws reveal cultural values, fears, and priorities of their time. Examining them today highlights how human behavior, tradition, and governance have changed dramatically over the centuries.

1. 1. The Hat Tax in England

In 1784, England imposed a tax on men’s hats as a way to generate revenue. The more hats a man owned, the higher his taxes were, making hat-wearing a status symbol for the wealthy. The law was repealed in 1811 after critics argued it unfairly targeted the working class.

2. 2. Ban on Ice Cream Cones in Oklahoma

In the early 20th century, Oklahoma had a law prohibiting people from carrying ice cream cones in their back pockets. Authorities feared that it might be used as a way to lure horses away, since the animals could follow the scent. Although rarely enforced, the law lingered for years before being scrapped.

3. 3. The Beard Tax in Russia

Tsar Peter the Great imposed a beard tax in 1698 to encourage men to adopt the Western clean-shaven fashion. Men who wanted to keep their beards had to carry a special token proving they had paid the tax. Those caught without one risked fines or forced shaving in public.

4. 4. Wisconsin’s Butter Law

In 1895, Wisconsin passed a law banning the sale and use of margarine. State officials believed the spread was a threat to the local dairy industry, especially butter production. The ban lasted for decades before being overturned in the mid-20th century.

5. 5. Alabama’s Domino Law

In Alabama, a law once prohibited playing dominoes on Sundays. This was rooted in the state’s “blue laws,” which restricted leisure activities seen as distractions from church. Though largely unenforceable, it reflected the religious conservatism of the time.

6. 6. New York’s Pinball Ban

In 1942, New York City outlawed pinball machines, claiming they were gambling devices that corrupted youth. For more than three decades, police raided arcades and destroyed machines with sledgehammers. The ban was finally lifted in 1976 after a demonstration proved pinball was a game of skill, not chance.

7. 7. France’s Law Against Women Wearing Pants

A French law from 1800 required women to obtain police permission if they wanted to wear trousers. Originally meant to reinforce gender norms, it stayed on the books for more than two centuries. It was officially repealed only in 2013.

8. 8. Texas’s Wire Cutters Ban

In the late 19th century, Texas passed a law banning the carrying of wire cutters. This was to prevent cattle rustlers from cutting through barbed wire fences. Although outdated, the law reflected the fierce conflicts between ranchers and farmers at the time.

9. 9. Australia’s Rabbit-Proof Law

During the 19th century, Australia required strict controls on rabbits, which had become a devastating invasive species. In Queensland, anyone who owned rabbits faced heavy fines, and laws even demanded the destruction of rabbit populations on private land. These laws reflected the scale of the agricultural crisis caused by the animals.

10. 10. California’s Frog Law

In California, a law once banned anyone from eating a frog that had died in a frog-jumping contest. The statute was created to preserve the tradition of frog competitions in towns like Angels Camp. While bizarre, the law emphasized fairness and the prevention of animal mistreatment.

11. 11. Denmark’s Baby Naming Law

For centuries, Denmark restricted baby names to an approved government list. Parents had to apply for special permission to use a name that was not listed. The rule, meant to preserve cultural heritage, has since been relaxed but was once strictly enforced.

12. 12. Canada’s Coin Law

Canada once limited how many coins could be used in a single transaction. For example, no more than 25 loonies (one-dollar coins) could be used at once. The goal was to stop people from paying large bills entirely in small change.

13. 13. The Salt Monopoly in France

For centuries, France enforced the gabelle, a tax on salt that required citizens to buy a set amount each year. Avoiding the tax was punishable by imprisonment or worse. The deeply unpopular law helped spark resentment leading up to the French Revolution.

14. 14. South Carolina’s Game Law

In South Carolina, it was once illegal to keep a horse in a bathtub. This strange law came about after a local incident where a horse was placed in a tub and caused damage to a property. Though humorous, the law stayed on the books for years.

15. 15. Massachusetts’s Christmas Ban

In 1659, Massachusetts banned the celebration of Christmas, viewing it as a sinful and non-biblical holiday. Anyone caught celebrating could be fined five shillings. The law reflected the strict Puritan influence in the colony and was repealed in 1681.

16. 16. Iowa’s Mustache Law

Iowa once had a law that forbade men with mustaches from kissing women in public. The rule was tied to concerns about public morality and hygiene. While unenforced, it remained a curious relic of small-town legislation.

17. 17. Napoleon’s Height Lie

Although not a formal law in the legal sense, Napoleon Bonaparte’s official records falsely listed his height as taller than he was. French authorities wanted to counter British propaganda that mocked him as short. This “legal” distortion shows how government laws sometimes crossed into image control.

18. 18. England’s Witchcraft Law

Until 1951, England still had a law making it a crime to pretend to practice witchcraft. Originally created in 1735, the Witchcraft Act targeted fraudulent fortune-tellers rather than actual witches. It was repealed when new fraud laws took its place.

19. 19. Switzerland’s Pet Law

Switzerland once required that pet owners who had social animals, such as guinea pigs, must own them in pairs. The law was based on the belief that animals had rights to companionship. Though unusual, it reflected the country’s concern for animal welfare.

20. 20. Florida’s Elephant Parking Law

Florida once required people to pay for parking if they tied an elephant to a parking meter. This law was written when circuses frequently traveled through towns with exotic animals. Though outdated, it highlights the intersection of everyday life and unusual circumstances in lawmaking.

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