Did you know some states have a ban on bear wrestling? Or that others have rules about what you can wear as part of your Sunday best? Across the country, there are some pretty strange laws and we’re going to check out 12 of them. Prepare to be surprised!
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Whistling Underwater Is a No-Go
Vermont once decided to outlaw whistling underwater and this law still exists today. How would they even catch you doing it? Whatever the reason, it’s likely there to stop people from being silly in public pools or lakes. That means that if you’re visiting Vermont, you had better keep your tunes above water!
Backward Doughnut Eating? Not Here!
If you’re ever in Marion, Oregon, remember not to walk backward while eating a doughnut. It’s actually illegal. Seriously! It’s not clear where this law came from but maybe it was to keep the sidewalks clear from quirky doughnut lovers or to prevent some kind of accidents. Why would you want to eat a doughnut while walking backward anyway?
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Fake Mustaches Forbidden
In Indiana, it’s illegal to wear fake mustaches if they’re going to make people laugh in church. It makes sense as the people there really value seriousness during worship. Honestly, though, if your mustache is enough to make people burst out laughing, then you’ve got greater problems on your hands.
Absolutely No Bear Wrestling
Down in Alabama, wrestling a bear is a definite no, although we’re not sure why you’d want to do that anyway. This law probably came from concerns about animal welfare & human safety. Back in 2016, there were efforts to make it legal again but these efforts fell short. It’s a good call—bears are not wrestling partners!
No Dominoes on Sundays
Alabama has another strange law that dictates you’re not allowed to play dominoes on Sundays. While it may seem odd, as with many old laws, it’s one that was likely meant to keep the Sabbath day reserved for rest & worship. Officials wanted people to focus on God over games.
What’s That in Your Pocket?
It’s illegal to tuck an ice cream cone into your back pocket in Kentucky. And, quite frankly, it’s pretty disgusting. It’s an odd rule that does have some sense behind it, though, as it comes from days when people used ice cream to lure away horses. So, this law was meant to stop people from doing this.
No Off-Key Singing Allowed
You had better keep your singing in tune in North Carolina, especially if you’re in public because singing off-key is actually against the law there. Honestly, this is a law we can actually get behind. Perhaps every place should have a law against off-key singing—karaoke bars would sound a lot nicer!
Bingo Must Be Brief
In North Carolina, bingo games can’t go on for more than 5 hours. At fairs, you might get a pass but generally, they want to keep those games short & sweet. Why? Because they’re trying to stop people from getting too excessive with gambling and blowing all their money. It’s quite sensible when you think about it.
Say It Right
Heading over to Arkansas? Make sure you pronounce the state’s name correctly. They’re proud of their heritage & name—so much so that it’s illegal to pronounce it wrong, although you won’t be penalized for saying it wrong. But why don’t we call the state “Are-Kansas”? It’s to honor the state’s original French colonists and their pronunciation.
No Sharing Your Disney+ Password
Technically, in Tennessee, sharing your Disney+ password is illegal. The “Tennesse login law” is aimed at stopping “unauthorized” access to subscription services including streaming platforms. The law is meant to prevent people from sharing accounts illegally on a large scale. So you’re not going to get into trouble for letting your cousin binge-watch!
No Slicing a Cactus
They take cacti pretty seriously in Arizona—cutting down or damaging a cactus is illegal. The law protects native plants, including the iconic saguaro, that can live for over a century. As such, you might want to think again about taking cactus souvenirs from the desert. Instead, just leave them standing—it’s a lot safer.
No Throwing Snowballs
You might want to stay away from Provo, Utah, during those winter months as throwing a snowball could land you a fine. The city has a law against throwing “missiles”—and yes, that includes snowballs. While it may be harsh, the law is there to avoid injuries & any property damage.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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