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Pluto
Joined: 19 Dec 2006
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 Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 10:53 am Post subject: World's most absurd laws |
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071106/od_afp/britainlawsoffbeat
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LONDON (AFP) - Queen Elizabeth II's speech in the British parliament Tuesday may have been routine but at least nobody got bored to death. That would have been against the law.
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Dying in parliament is an offence and is also by far the most absurd law in Britain, according to a survey of nearly 4,000 people by a television channel showing a legal drama series.
And though the lords were clad in their red and white ermine cloaks and ambassadors from around the world wore colourful national costumes, at least nobody turned up in a suit of armour. Illegal.
Other rules deemed utterly stupid included one that permits a pregnant woman to urinate in a policeman's hat and murdering bow-and-arrow-carrying Scotsmen within the city walls of York, northern England.
A law stating that in Liverpool, only a clerk in a tropical fish store is allowed to be publicly topless, was also ridiculous, said a poll of 3,931 people for UKTV Gold television out Tuesday.
Nearly half of those surveyed admitted to breaking the ban on eating mince pies on Christmas Day, which dates back to the 17th century and was originally designed to outlaw gluttony during the rule of the Puritan Oliver Crowmell.
The laws and other regulations were culled from published research into ancient legislation that has never been repealed although subsequent statutes have rendered them obsolete.
Respondents were given a shortlist and asked to vote.
Most ridiculous British law:
1. It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament (27 percent)
2. It is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British monarch upside-down (seven percent)
3. In Liverpool, it is illegal for a woman to be topless except as a clerk in a tropical fish store (six percent)
4. Mince pies cannot be eaten on Christmas Day (five percent)
5. In Scotland, if someone knocks on your door and requires the use of your toilet, you must let them enter (four percent)
6. A pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants, including in a policeman's helmet (four percent)
7. The head of any dead whale found on the British coast automatically becomes the property of the king, and the tail of the queen (3.5 percent)
8. It is illegal to avoid telling the tax man anything you do not want him to know, but legal not to tell him information you do not mind him knowing (three percent)
9. It is illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament in a suit of armour (three percent)
10. 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 (two percent)
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I know we've got some rather absurd laws in the States though they do vary from state to state. What are some ridiculous laws where you're from?
Speaking of which, I wonder how many ridiculous laws are in Korea. I'd almost be willing to bet there are plenty of absurd laws in Korea dealing with foreigners. |
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Missihippi
Joined: 22 Oct 2007
Location: Gwangmyeong
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| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 11:03 am Post subject: |
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| Slavery wasn't technically abolished from the law in Mississippi untill like 10 years ago i think. |
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Sleepy in Seoul
Joined: 15 May 2004
Location: Going in ever decreasing circles until I eventually disappear up my own fundament - in NZ
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| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 11:38 am Post subject: |
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| In Queensland as of 10 years ago, it was illegal to attempt to commit suicide, yet not illegal to actually do it. That made it the only crime of which I am aware that is illegal to try, but not illegal to do. This law may still be in existance. |
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Czarjorge
Joined: 01 May 2007
Location: I now have the same moustache, and it is glorious.
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| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 11:54 am Post subject: |
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| In my "hometown" it is illegal to smile at a woman you are not personally acquainted with, has been for over one hundred years, and the law is still on the books. No wonder everyone looks so sour all the time. |
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SeoulShakin
Joined: 05 Jan 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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Here's a few I found amusing while looking it up:
- In Canada, if a debt is higher than 25 cents, it is illegal to pay it with pennies.
- In British Colombia, it is illegal to kill a sasquatch.
- In Toronto, it is illegal to drag a dead horse down Yonge Street on a Sunday.
- In Scotland, it is illegal to be drunk and in possession of a cow.
- In Switzerland, a man may not relieve himself while standing up, after 10pm.
- In Alaska, it is an offense to push a live moose out of a moving airplane.
- In Texas, the entire Encyclopedia Brittanica is banned, as it contains a formula for making beer at home.
- In Canada, citizens may not publicly remove bandages.
- When it's raining in Nova Scotia, it is illegal to water your lawn.
- In Etobicoke, Ontario, no more than 3.5 inches is allowed in any bathtub.
- In Montreal, you may not swear in French, and you also can't park your car in such a way that it blocks your own driveway.
These are amusing! |
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DRAMA OVERKILL
Joined: 12 Apr 2005
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| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 7:42 pm Post subject: |
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| SeoulShakin wrote: |
| - When it's raining in Nova Scotia, it is illegal to water your lawn. |
Good idea. I like that one. Doubtful the Mounties would ever enforce it though! |
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