Some laws are passed to keep people safe. Others… well, you have to wonder if lawmakers were just really bored one day.
Across the U.S. and beyond, there are still laws on the books that defy logic, common sense, and sometimes even reality. From outdated rules about animals to wildly specific food regulations, here are actual laws that still exist — and make absolutely no sense.
15. You Can’t Sell Pickles That Don’t Bounce in Connecticut
If it doesn’t bounce, it doesn’t count. According to Connecticut law, a pickle must rebound slightly when dropped to be considered legally sellable.
14. No Ice Cream in Back Pockets in Alabama
This law exists thanks to horse thieves who used to lure horses away with sweet treats. So yeah, putting ice cream in your back pocket is technically illegal.
13. It’s Illegal to Tie a Giraffe to a Telephone Pole in Georgia
We’d love to know the backstory on this one. But yep, if your pet giraffe needs a break, don’t even think about using public infrastructure.
12. Bingo Games Can’t Last More Than Five Hours in North Carolina
Apparently, extended bingo sessions are a threat to public order. So you better call those numbers fast.
11. No Exploding Golf Balls in Massachusetts
Honestly, fair. But also, who was out here making explosive golf balls in the first place?
10. It’s Illegal to Let Donkeys Sleep in Bathtubs in Arizona
A very specific incident in the 1920s led to this law. Now, if your donkey’s looking for a spa night, it’s going to have to find somewhere else to crash.
9. Chickens Must Not Cross the Road in Georgia
In Gainesville, Georgia, chickens literally can’t cross the road. It’s a real ordinance, which means the classic joke could technically result in a fine.
8. You Can’t Swear in Front of a Corpse in Mississippi
This law takes southern manners to the extreme. Cursing around a dead body is considered deeply disrespectful and legally punishable.
Read more: Stranger than fiction: really weird laws in every state
7. No Color-Changing Margarine in Wisconsin
Back in the day, margarine had to be dull and unappetizing in Wisconsin unless you wanted to risk legal trouble. Dairy pride runs deep in cheese country.
6. You Can’t Send Surprise Pizzas in Louisiana
Sending pizza to someone’s house without them knowing is considered harassment. So, no prank pepperoni deliveries unless you want legal trouble with your stuffed crust.
5. It’s Illegal to Be Drunk in a Bar in Alaska
Yep, you’re not allowed to be drunk in a place literally designed for drinking. That law is still enforced, with undercover officers sometimes checking for violators.
4. No Sleeping in Cheese Factories in South Dakota
Apparently, this was enough of a problem to make it a legal issue. So next time you’re at a cheese plant, stay alert.
3. You Can’t Ride a Cow While Drunk in Scotland
Riding any animal while intoxicated is frowned upon, but cows get a special mention here. Somewhere in Scotland, this was a serious issue at one point.
2. No Honking After 9 p.m. Near Sandwich Shops in Arkansas
In Little Rock, you’d better keep it down around your local sub spot. The law prohibits honking after 9 p.m. to avoid disturbing the peace… of sandwich lovers.
1. It’s Illegal to Die in the Houses of Parliament in the UK
This rule has no clear way of being enforced, but it’s technically still on the books. If you feel faint in Westminster, maybe head outside just in case.
