Most bizarre laws still in effect
š§ 1. Wisconsin: No Butter Substitutes in Schools
Yes, you read that right.
In Wisconsin, known as āAmericaās Dairyland,ā there’s an actual law banning the use of margarine in state institutions like schools and prisons unless specifically requested. This law was passed in the 1960s to protect the stateās butter industry. Itās still technically in effect!
What it means: In some cafeterias, you canāt just slather margarine on toast without permission.
š 2. Oklahoma: Donāt Wrestle an Octopus
In Oklahoma, itās illegal to wrestle a bearāwhich, okay, makes sense. But itās also illegal to wrestle an octopus. Although there arenāt a lot of octopus-wrestling matches going on in the plains of Oklahoma, this law is still on the books.
Why? It was likely aimed at banning all forms of animal cruelty in sideshow-style acts.
š 3. Vermont: You Need Permission to Be Buried in Your Yard
In Vermont, you canāt just decide to turn your backyard into a final resting place. You must get permission from the town health officer.
Thatās not so strange, until you learn that Vermont has very few rules about home burials otherwise. Itās not illegal to be buried at homeājust donāt forget to ask first!
š 4. Georgia: No Fried Chicken With Forks in Gainesville
This one is finger-lickin’ weird.
In Gainesville, Georgia, itās technically illegal to eat fried chicken with anything but your hands. This law was made as a fun publicity stunt in 1961ābut itās still on the books.
In 2009, a woman was jokingly āarrestedā for breaking it during a birthday lunch.
š¶ 5. South Australia: You Canāt Disrupt a Wedding
In South Australia, itās a crime to interrupt a wedding, funeral, or religious service. The law doesnāt just frown on rude behaviorāit can land you in real legal trouble, including possible jail time.
What counts as a disruption? Even loudly objecting to a marriage mid-ceremony could be considered a violation.
š¶ 6. Turin, Italy: Walk Your Dogāor Else
In the city of Turin, pet owners must walk their dogs at least three times a day. Failing to do so could result in a fine of up to ā¬500.
This law was introduced to promote animal welfare. It also bans dying a dogās fur or giving them ridiculous outfits that might harm their well-being.
š¦ 7. Switzerland: No Lonely Pets Allowed
Switzerland takes animal companionship seriously. Itās illegal to own just one guinea pig because theyāre considered social creatures. The law also applies to some other animals, like parrots.
You must adopt them in pairs or groups, so they donāt feel lonely.
Even more wild? There are guinea pig matchmakers to help pair your grieving pet with a new buddy.
š¦ 8. Canada: Ice Cream Truck Music Must Be Off
In parts of Ontario, ice cream trucks canāt play music while parked. That cheerful jingle must stop once the vehicle stops moving.
Why? Itās all about noise pollution. Residents in some neighborhoods donāt want the constant music outside their homes.
So, kids can run for ice creamābut the song stops before they get there.
šŖ 9. Milan, Italy: Smile or Else!
In Milan, thereās an old law that requires citizens to smile in public. Frowning is technically illegalāexcept at funerals, hospitals, or during serious events.
While not really enforced today, itās still on the books as a quirky historical rule.
So yes, Milan once made it illegal to be grumpy.
š§» 10. Florida: No Singing in Swimsuits?
In Florida, some towns have strange local ordinancesālike a law in Sarasota that forbids singing in a public place while wearing a swimsuit.
Why this law exists is unclear. But itās definitely one of the stateās many oddball legal leftovers.
š» 11. Scotland: Knock, Then Wait
In Scotland, if someone knocks on your door and asks to use your bathroom, you are legally required to let them in.
Itās an old common law principle about hospitality. Itās rarely used today, but technically, itās still part of the legal system.
So, if youāre in Scotland and nature callsāthereās hope!
š° 12. Japan: A Waistline Law?
Yes. In Japan, thereās actually a law about your waistline. Itās called the āMetabo Law,ā and it applies to people between the ages of 40 and 74.
Men must not exceed a waist measurement of 33.5 inches. Women must stay under 35.4 inches. Companies are encouraged to help employees stay healthy.
This law isnāt meant to punish peopleābut to lower health care costs and promote wellness.
š§ 13. Samoa: Itās Illegal to Forget Your Wifeās Birthday
In Samoa, forgetting your wifeās birthday isnāt just rudeāitās a legal offense.
While itās not entirely clear how strictly this is enforced, the law sends a clear message: forgetting big moments has consequences!
š§ 14. Missouri: No Pretending to Be a Psychic
In several towns in Missouri, itās against the law to pretend to be a fortune teller, clairvoyant, or psychicāespecially for profit.
This was put in place to protect people from scams. So if you’re just playing around, youāre fine. But donāt try to make a business of it.
š 15. Tennessee: No Elephants on the Sidewalk
Tennessee has a real law that bans elephants from being kept on sidewalks.
This dates back to the old circus days when elephants would be paraded through towns. Local officials didnāt want sidewalks destroyed by massive feet. Soāthey banned it!
Why These Laws Still Exist
Many of these bizarre laws stick around simply because no one has bothered to remove them. Once something is passed into law, it can stay there unless someone takes the time (and legal steps) to repeal it.
Others, like Japanās waistline law or Switzerlandās guinea pig rule, reflect cultural valuesālike health, respect for animals, or public peace.
In the Endā¦
Laws are meant to protect us, guide us, and help communities run smoothly. But every now and then, they take a turn toward the weird.
Some make us laugh. Others make us wonder, what was going on when they wrote this?
But most of all, they remind us that the world is full of surprisesāand that even the law has a sense of humor sometimes.
Which one was your favorite? Or have you heard of an even stranger law? Letās keep the conversation going!
š§ 1. Wisconsin: No Butter Substitutes in Schools Yes, you read that right. In Wisconsin, known as āAmericaās Dairyland,ā there’s an actual law banning the use of margarine in state institutions like schools and prisons unless specifically requested. This law was passed in the 1960s to protect the stateās butter industry. Itās still technically in…
š§ 1. Wisconsin: No Butter Substitutes in Schools Yes, you read that right. In Wisconsin, known as āAmericaās Dairyland,ā there’s an actual law banning the use of margarine in state institutions like schools and prisons unless specifically requested. This law was passed in the 1960s to protect the stateās butter industry. Itās still technically in…