Random facts

[Amorphos]

Random facts

put anything vaguely interesting here. This is some stuff i found around the net recently...

Boanthropy is a disease that makes a person think he's a ox.

The word queueing is the only word in the English language with 5 consecutive vowels.

In Ohio It is illegal to sell beer while wearing a Santa suit, even for dogs.

Lightning strikes earth 100 times every second.

By weight, a hamburger costs more than a new car.

Before 1600, New Years day was in March.

In Fairbank, Alaska, it is illegal to push a live moose out of an aeroplane and, while it is legal to shoot bears, it is illegal to wake a sleeping bear for the purpose of taking a photograph with it.
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Got any?

[legionari]

Scotland burned the most whitches in the 1600

[Markas]

Some laws I'll glad we don't always have to follow-


In Texas, it's against the law for anyone to have a pair of pliers in his or her possession.

In Philadelphia, you can't put pretzels in bags based on an Act of 1760.

Alaska law says that you can't look at a moose from an airplane.

In Corpus Christie, Texas, it is illegal to raise alligators in your home.

In Miami, it is forbidden to imitate an animal.

It is against the law to mispronounce the name of the State of Arkansas in that State.

In Illinois, the law is that a car must be driven with the steering wheel.

California law prohibits a woman from driving a car while dressed in a housecoat.

In Memphis, Tennessee, a woman is not to drive a car unless a man warns approaching motorists or pedestrians by walking in front of the car that is being driven.

In Tennessee, it is against the law to drive a car while sleeping.

In New York, it is against the law for a blind person to drive an automobile.

In West Virginia, only babies can ride in a baby carriage.

In Georgia, it is against the law to slap a man on the back or front.

A barber is not to advertise prices in the State of Georgia.

In Louisiana, a bill was introduced years ago in the State House of Representatives that fixed a ceiling on haircuts for bald men of 25 cents.

In Oklahoma, no baseball team can hit the ball over the fence or out of a ballpark.

In Rochester, Michigan, the law is that anyone bathing in public must have the bathing suit inspected by a police officer !

In Kentucky, it's the law that a person must take a bath once a year.

In Utah, birds have the right of way on any public highway.

In Ohio, one must have a license to keep a bear.

In Tennessee, a law exists which prohibits the sale of bologna (sandwich meat) on Sunday.

In Virginia, the Code of 1930 has a statute which prohibits corrupt practices or bribery by any person other than political candidates.

In Providence, Rhode Island, it is against the law to jump off a bridge.

In the State of Kansas, you're not allowed to drive a buffalo through a street.

In Florida, it is against the law to put livestock on a school bus.

In New Jersey, cabbage can't be sold on Sunday.

In Galveston, Texas, it is illegal to have a camel run loose in the street!

In North Carolina, it is against the law for dogs and cats to fight.

In Singapore, it is illegal to chew gum.

In Cleveland, Ohio, it is unlawful to leave chewing gum in public places.

In Virginia, chickens cannot lay eggs before 8:00 a.m., and must be done before 4:00 p.m.

In New York, it is against the law for children to pick up or collect cigarette and cigar butts.

In Massachusetts, it is against the law to put tomatos in clam chowder.

In Washington State, you can't carry a concealed weapon that is over 6 feet in length.

In San Francisco, there is an ordinance, which bans the picking up and throwing of used confetti.

In Kentucky, it is illegal for a merchant to force a person into his place of business for the purpose of making a sale.

It is against the law in Connecticut for a man to write love letters to a girl whose mother or father has forbidden the relationship.

In Michigan, married couples must live together or be imprisoned.

In the state of Colorado, a pet cat, if loose, must have a tail-light !

In Phoenix, Arizona, you can't walk through a hotel lobby with spurs on.

In California, a law created in 1925 makes it illegal to wiggle while dancing.

In Utah, daylight must be visible between dancing couples.

In Michigan, it is against the law for a lady to lift her skirt more than 6 inches while walking through a mud puddle.

In North Carolina, it is against the law for a rabbit to race down the street.

In Georgia, it's against the law to spread a false rumor.

In West Virginia, one can't cook sauerkraut or cabbage due to the odors and the offence is subject to imprisonment.

In Missouri, a man must have a permit to shave.

The law states that more than 3000 sheep cannot be herded down Hollywood Blvd. at any one time.

In Texas, it is still a "hanging offense" to steal cattle.

According to medieval law, it is legal to shoot a Welshman with a bow and arrow within the walls of York on a sunday afternoon.

[MaximiIian]

According to medieval law, it is legal to shoot a Welshman with a bow and arrow within the walls of York on a Sunday afternoon.

Markedly similar is a strange law in New York. Apparently, in New York City, it is entirely legal to shoot a pureblood Scotsman in the back with a crossbow on Sunday (not just the afternoon). It has to be in the back, and with a crossbow, though, and it has to be a purebred Scot, or else it's murder.

Coincidence?:hmmm:

[Markas]

Markedly similar is a strange law in New York. Apparently, in New York City, it is entirely legal to shoot a pureblood Scotsman in the back with a crossbow on Sunday (not just the afternoon). It has to be in the back, and with a crossbow, though, and it has to be a purebred Scot, or else it's murder.

Coincidence?:hmmm:

A crossbow? hmmm I could understand if the law was institiuted during the Jacobite rebellion but surely a musket would have been more suitable? but then, you are more likely to interogate a man shot with a crossbow bolt than a musket... maybe just my imagination running overtime.

[the Black Prince]

that last one is an urban legend, i've heard it said of many other cities as wellm, most notably chester


it is however, a criminal offence to drive herd persuade carry or otherwise move or transport a sheep across Westminster Bridge (in london) unless you are the person of, or in the employ of, his grace the Duke of Westminster

[Amorphos]

Its a mad world! great stuff chaps

[Simetrical]

The word queueing is the only word in the English language with 5 consecutive vowels.

Problem is, it's not a word in the English language. The final e is dropped when adding -ing, as always. (ref)

By weight, a hamburger costs more than a new car.

No, not true. Think about it: say an expensive hamburger is two or three dollars a pound. A cheap new car might be $10,000 for a ton, or for 2,000 pounds. That works out to five dollars a pound. More than a used car, sure. A very cheap new car, maybe.

Before 1600, New Years day was in March.

New Year's Day has traditionally been at different times in different times and places, yeah. Wikipedia says that Scotland did indeed change from March 25 (Annunciation) to January 1 (Circumcision) in 1600, but the rest of Great Britain didn't until 1752.

In Ohio It is illegal to sell beer while wearing a Santa suit, even for dogs.

In Fairbank, Alaska, it is illegal to push a live moose out of an aeroplane and, while it is legal to shoot bears, it is illegal to wake a sleeping bear for the purpose of taking a photograph with it.

Some laws I'll glad we don't always have to follow-

Much as I hate to burst your bubble, legislators by and large are not and never have been dribbling morons, schizophrenics, or takers of large amounts of hallucinogens during bill authorship and voting. Almost none of the ridiculously implausible laws that everyone cites have actually ever been laws, for the same reason that they're ridiculously implausible: because they make absolutely no sense.

Now, some may well be correct. It's almost certainly illegal to raise alligators in your home in Corpus Christie, Texas, just as it is everywhere else: anyone who wants to own dangerous animals needs a permit. It is very likely only legal to drive cars using a steering wheel in Illinois and elsewhere (as opposed to handles or some other unconventional mechanism), again except unless licensed. It is most definitely against the law to drive a car while sleeping or blind. Baby carriages are probably not rated as safe for anyone larger than babies. While birds may not have "right of way" as such, it's probably illegal to run them over, due to the mess. And so on.

On the other hand, consider the insane ones. It is illegal to possess a pair of pliers. Why would anyone pass that? It would make it impossible to do even basic tasks. Pliers pose no threat to safety and are critical tools that no doubt most legislators of any period owned. Why would there be a problem with placing pretzels in bags? Surely there would be no issue of sanitation or the like, and if legislators wanted to abolish them they could easily have done so directly. What in heaven's name does "imitating an animal" mean? And so on.

In other words: some are completely ridiculous, and many of the rest are actually quite plausible — in many cases they're the law everywhere. None fit the bill of "wacky but true". They're either sensible but true, or wacky but false (precisely because they're wacky). It's telling that these lists virtually never have citations attached.

[Zeffen]

IT IS illegal to carry pliers in Texas. YOU WILL be hanged if you steal cattle or any livestock in Texas. YOU CAN shoot your wife if you catch her in the act of cheating on you.
These are all old laws that started in the frontier days. In west texas you could not survive without a horse (you couldnt travel across the desert or reach the next town on foot without a mule or horse). Pliers were used only by brigands who would CUT the barb-wire and steal cattle/livestock. Why would a rancher carry pliers? Would he let his own livelihood out of the fence? There are reasons for OLD laws. Killing your cheating wife when you catch her with another man. Well that's just cool.

[Markas]

that last one is an urban legend, i've heard it said of many other cities as wellm, most notably chester

I heard this one at Uni and my professor said it originated from Hereford when archers practised on Sundays and had a nasty tendency to accidently perferate people outside the range. The welshman bit is a mystery.

I'm glad the British are too sensible to have stupid laws-

No cows may be driven down the roadway between 10 AM and 7 PM unless there is prior approval from the Commissioner of Police.

Since 1313, MPs are not allowed to don armor in Parliament.

Those wishing to purchase a television must also buy a license. (theres alot of crap on british tv)

With the exception of carrots, most goods may not be sold on Sunday.

All English males over the age 14 are to carry out 2 or so hours of longbow practice a week supervised by the local clergy.

London Hackney Carriages (taxis/cabs) must carry a bale of hay and a sack of oats.

It is illegal to be drunk on Licensed Premises (in a pub or bar).


It is illegal for two adult men to have sex in the same house as a third person.

Any person found breaking a boiled egg at the sharp end will be sentenced to 24 hours in the village stocks (enacted by Edward VI).

Chelsea Pensioners may not be impersonated.

A bed may not be hung out of a window.

It is illegal for a lady to eat chocolates on a public conveyance.

Any boy under the age of 10 may not see a naked manequin.

It is illegal to leave baggage unattended.

Picking up abandoned baggage is an act of terrorism.

[Freddie]

It is illegal to leave baggage unattended.

[/I]

That's not a bad law.


A snail can sleep for three years.

[LoZz]

I heard this one at Uni and my professor said it originated from Hereford when archers practised on Sundays and had a nasty tendency to accidently perferate people outside the range. The welshman bit is a mystery.

I'm glad the British are too sensible to have stupid laws-

No cows may be driven down the roadway between 10 AM and 7 PM unless there is prior approval from the Commissioner of Police.

Since 1313, MPs are not allowed to don armor in Parliament.

Those wishing to purchase a television must also buy a license. (theres alot of crap on british tv)

With the exception of carrots, most goods may not be sold on Sunday.

All English males over the age 14 are to carry out 2 or so hours of longbow practice a week supervised by the local clergy.

London Hackney Carriages (taxis/cabs) must carry a bale of hay and a sack of oats.

It is illegal to be drunk on Licensed Premises (in a pub or bar).


It is illegal for two adult men to have sex in the same house as a third person.

Any person found breaking a boiled egg at the sharp end will be sentenced to 24 hours in the village stocks (enacted by Edward VI).

Chelsea Pensioners may not be impersonated.

A bed may not be hung out of a window.

It is illegal for a lady to eat chocolates on a public conveyance.

Any boy under the age of 10 may not see a naked manequin.

It is illegal to leave baggage unattended.

Picking up abandoned baggage is an act of terrorism.

alot of those laws are not realy stupid - they where made during diffrent times and people just forgot to update it

and the first one with the cows, whats stupid about that?

[Fallen.Soldier]

In Ohio It is illegal to sell beer while wearing a Santa suit, even for dogs.

SOURCE PLEASE!111 *drool*
guess i cant complain since i turn 21 this 25h =D

fun facts though =P

[Fallen.Soldier]

In Singapore, it is illegal to chew gum.

i actually saw this happen when i went to singapore a few years ago. some tourists were chewing gum then BAM! arrested (or warned =P but they were scared nonetheless)

singapore is pretty clean though....damn clean

[the Black Prince]

I heard this one at Uni and my professor said it originated from Hereford when archers practised on Sundays and had a nasty tendency to accidently perferate people outside the range. The welshman bit is a mystery.


- i heard it being an urban legend frm my professor... he's a professor of english law, i think he'd know

I'm glad the British are too sensible to have stupid laws-

No cows may be driven down the roadway between 10 AM and 7 PM unless there is prior approval from the Commissioner of Police.

- repealed, 1980

Since 1313, MPs are not allowed to don armor in Parliament.

- not a law, constitutional convention

Those wishing to purchase a television must also buy a license. (theres alot of crap on british tv)

- true, its how the BBC is funded

With the exception of carrots, most goods may not be sold on Sunday.

- repealed, sunday trading act

All English males over the age 14 are to carry out 2 or so hours of longbow practice a week supervised by the local clergy.

- false, the actual law was all males able to bend a bow must undertake 1 hours archery practice at the local butts each sunday or be fined 1 shilling.
not technically been repealed, but i suppose implicitly repealed by various offensive weapon acts

London Hackney Carriages (taxis/cabs) must carry a bale of hay and a sack of oats.

- used to be true... went out with the invention of the car...

It is illegal to be drunk on Licensed Premises (in a pub or bar).
- false, its illegal to be drunk in public


It is illegal for two adult men to have sex in the same house as a third person.
- repealed in 1967 with all the other buggery offences

Any person found breaking a boiled egg at the sharp end will be sentenced to 24 hours in the village stocks (enacted by Edward VI).
- repealed by james I

Chelsea Pensioners may not be impersonated.
- true, but the same applies to anyone... its a type of fraud.

A bed may not be hung out of a window.
- no record of this one, source please

It is illegal for a lady to eat chocolates on a public conveyance.
- no record of this one, source please

Any boy under the age of 10 may not see a naked manequin.
- no record of this one, source please

It is illegal to leave baggage unattended.
- its not illegal, its in breach of common regulations used by most public transport bodies though

Picking up abandoned baggage is an act of terrorism.
- false, it happens all the time. its discouraged strongly though.

[Amorphos]

Ha ha some good ones there.

sim,

Much as I hate to burst your bubble, legislators by and large are not and never have been dribbling morons, schizophrenics, or takers of large amounts of hallucinogens during bill authorship and voting

Perhaps they should; peace n love maaan

i see what you mean though, i was thinking along similar lines myself.


Bring on the professor bouts!

Stats please – lets see which one would win. lol

[Farnan]

The US Army has more boats than the US Navy...

[Markas]

- i heard it being an urban legend frm my professor... he's a professor of english law, i think he'd know

well my professor taught medieval history, and was probably bigger than your professor. Jeez.

[Markas]

Much as I hate to burst your bubble, legislators by and large are not and never have been dribbling morons, schizophrenics, or takers of large amounts of hallucinogens during bill authorship and voting. Almost none of the ridiculously implausible laws that everyone cites have actually ever been laws, for the same reason that they're ridiculously implausible: because they make absolutely no sense.

er..I never implied they were. It's not that 'wacky' laws are passed for something that requires common sense but the fact they were put in writing for people, no matter how few in number, who did these kind of things.

[Ulyaoth]

In Memphis, Tennessee, a woman is not to drive a car unless a man warns approaching motorists or pedestrians by walking in front of the car that is being driven.

This one I absolutely love, it should be enforced, would save a lot of lives...