What are some of the silliest laws that are still on the books?

As people say, “There ought to be a law…”

Actually, too many laws exist. Some are pretty strange too.

In response to numerous requests, I am dedicating the trivia column to the ridiculous laws on the books that are rarely enforced, rarely mentioned, and rarely known, even by the police.

The silly laws make you wonder, “Why in the world was that law enacted?”

Just when you were totally sure about the potential future of human stupidity, you realize someone, somewhere, had to actually do what the law was written to prevent.

So, if you’ve ever said something similar to, “There oughta be a law,” here’s your chance to see if that law does, in fact, exist. We’ll return to the usual trivia in next week’s column.

Did you know …

… wearing slippers in a public place is illegal in New York after 10 p.m.? (You can wear your pajamas, but not your slippers.)

… in Thailand, stepping on the country’s money is illegal? (This one actually makes a kind of sense, since the money has the picture of the ruling monarch on it, and nobody wants to voluntarily step on the monarch’s face.)

… in Florida, men may not be seen in public wearing a strapless gown? (Well, there goes my outfit for the gala ball!)

… in Virginia, the law prohibits chickens from laying eggs before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m.? (You have to wonder who’s running the time cluck in the hen house.)

… Canadian law prevents the sale of comic books which depict any illegal act? (What does that leave for Superman to do?)

… in the United Kingdom, placing a postage stamp on an envelope upside-down is considered an act of treason? (Even if you love the Queen?)

… in Florida, showering naked is against the law? (Not sure how they imagine you’re going to get clean, but hey, whatever works for you.)

… in the nation of Barbados, wearing camouflage clothing is illegal? The reason is the country’s police wear camouflage uniforms.

… walking around one’s house with no clothing on is illegal in the city-state of Singapore? Nudity is considered pornography in Singapore … and pornography is illegal. (Yeah, but they don’t let you chew gum in Singapore, either.)

… running out of gas on the road in the city of Youngstown, Ohio, is illegal? (It’s also indicative of very poor planning on the driver’s part.)

… in the city of Blythe, California, you must own at least two cows to legally wear cowboy boots? (So if you only own one, can you wear just one cowboy boot?)

… the law in Indonesia says a woman cannot be taller than her husband? (What if you’ve always wanted a wife you could look up to?)

… people in the town of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, are not allowed to lock the doors of their cars in the downtown area? Cars must be left unlocked in case someone needs to take shelter from a polar bear. (You have to hope the polar bear can’t operate the door handle, though.)

… the law in the state of Washington states that anyone under the age of 18 must have written parental permission to throw a tear gas canister? (I’d like to think that would apply to people over 18, too, but that’s just me.)

… keeping an elk in a sandbox in your backyard in North Dakota is against the law? (But you can keep your elk in a tree house or garage!)

… the law in South Korea forbids anyone under 16 from playing video games between midnight and 6:00 a.m.? (Good thing they don’t observe Daylight Savings Time.)

… Alabama law does not allow you to drive a car while blindfolded? (It’s also dangerous, and pretty darned stupid, too.)

… Florida law forbids fishing from your car while driving across a bridge? (You’ve heard of fly fishing? This would be drive fishing.)

… riding an ugly horse is against the law in Wilbur, Washington? (There’s an obvious Mr. Ed joke in there, but I am not touching it.)

… in the town of Bromide, Oklahoma, children cannot use towels as capes when jumping off a roof pretending to be Superman? (If I lived in a town named after a sedative, I’d be jumping off a roof too – cape or no cape.)

… in Alaska, whispering in someone’s ear while they’re hunting for moose is a legal no-no? (Even if you’re whispering where the moose is?)

… singing off key in North Carolina is not only annoying, but illegal? (Hence, why I never sing when I’m in North Carolina.)

… bees are not allowed to fly over the village of Kirkland, Illinois, or through any of its streets? (One has to wonder how flowers are pollinated in Kirkland, then.)

… tying a crocodile to a fire hydrant is not permitted in Michigan? (Notice that it isn’t illegal to have a crocodile in Michigan, just to tie the croc to a fire hydrant.)

… sell your eyes – or any other organ – is illegal in Texas? (Especially if you’re still using them.)

… in Florida, it’s against the law to sell alcohol during a hurricane? (Even though that’s when most people need it?)

… carrying a fish in a fish bowl while riding a public bus in Oklahoma is illegal? (Well, where the heck else would you carry it – in your pocket?)

… French schoolchildren are not allowed to have unlimited ketchup, mayonnaise or salad dressing? (Ooh la la!)

… Florida law forbids rats to leave the ships docked in Tampa Bay? (Espcially if they’re sinking.)

Now … you know!

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