The Most Absurd Laws from Around the World

By: Neha Grey (View Profile)

I imagine that the reason most of these laws and bans still exist is that no one has gotten around to changing them. However, they’re totally worth laughing at and leave you imagining where the hell they might have come from. This is what happens when legal power lands in the wrong hands.

France

  • It’s illegal to call or address a pig as Napoleon.
  • Between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., 70 percent of the music on the radio must be by French composers.
  • It is against the law to sell a doll with a face that’s not human.

Singapore

  • Littering is a serious offense. If caught littering your punishment includes a fine of several thousand dollars, hours of litter collection, state-sponsored counseling, as well as your picture in the local news.
  • It is illegal to carry a Bible or to talk to someone about Jesus.

The United Kingdom

  • It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament. The reasoning behind this is that technically anyone who dies within the walls of Parliament is automatically granted a Royal state funeral.
  • The head of any dead whale found on the British coast is legally the property of the King. The tail is property of the Queen so that she can use the bones for her corset.
  • In the city of York, it is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow.

Australia

  • Although it is against the law for children to buy cigarettes, condoms, or alcohol, they can legally use all of them.
  • It is illegal to wear black clothing, felt shoes, and black shoe polish on your face while roaming the streets. These items are the tools of a cat burglar.
  • It is illegal to dress up as Batman.
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posted: 07.03.2008
Salvey McSpank
@Benjamin Found this for Illinois http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=13...
posted: 05.15.2008
Mark Roddey
If I remember right, it's still a hanging offense in Texas to be caught with wire cutters in your saddle bags. That an old law for range roving saddle bums up to no good, riding along a Rancher's barbed wire fence, planning a little cattle rustling, I do believe.
posted: 05.12.2008
Aussie
You might want to fix up the Australian laws... It is illegal for anyone under 18 to consume alcohol on licensed premises (e.g. pubs, nightclubs) or possess or bring alcohol on to licensed premises. It is an offence for anyone under the age of 18 years to enter or remain on licensed premises except under specific circumstances outlined in the Liquor Control Act 1988. The is no legal age for buying condoms, they are sold to any age group. Correct, it is illegal for minors to buy cigarettes and legal for them to smoke them. You are free to wear what you please on your face at any time, apart from a bank where you are required to remove your motorcycle helmet, and considering we don't call them "cat burglars" here I would assume it was made up by a Foreigner or from another country. It is NOT illegal to dress up as batman, i am able to go into any a number of stores and buy or hire a batman outfit Where did you source all your information from? Sounds to me you just made this all u
posted: 05.12.2008
Msaeger
Like there is anyone to vote for that isn't a moron.
posted: 05.12.2008
Donald Duck
and another one, the french law about 70% of music to be played during the day is to be french is to protect the french music industry from being diluted down by english language music. why is that absurd???
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