I saw this linked to on Yahoo.com yesterday and thought it was funny enough to repost here. Apparently there was a poll taken on the UK's "most ludicrous laws." (No doubt we all have ludicrous laws; this is just the UK getting their turn in the barrel.) I believe that most of them are wildy outdated, which is how they become 'ludicrous.' The top 10 are: It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament. It is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British king or queen's image upside-down. It is illegal for a woman to be topless in Liverpool except as a clerk in a tropical fish store. (Makes sense to me.) :shrug: Eating mince pies on Christmas Day is banned. If someone knocks on your door in Scotland and requires the use of your toilet, you are required to let them enter. In the UK a pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants, including in a policeman's helmet. :scratchhe (WTF? This is just weird. I mean, when would that ever have been appropriate to any situation during any period of time?) The head of any dead whale found on the British coast automatically becomes the property of the King, and the tail of the Queen. It is illegal not to tell the tax man anything you do not want him to know, but legal not to tell him information you do not mind him knowing. It is illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament wearing a suit of armour. It is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls of York, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow. Ever get arrested for violating any of these, Allyx?
So THAT's why they're so big. I hope I haven't offended anyone... Sometimes my sense of humour is pretty... well stupid.
impressment is still legal here, not that it ever happens any more. Otherwise we might get real fucking stupid people in the navy. I'm sure there's some messed up US laws, I've heard of a few but can't remember right now.
I'm from Newfoundland, a former British colony, and our capital city (apparently) still has an ancient law on the books requiring men of military age to carry a sword when walking in the main street. Dates from when Britain was having regular disagreements with the French. I wonder if you could actually get away with it? "But Officer, I'm supposed to have this in case the French attack!" Great forums, btw, been lurking here for a while and looking forward to KotB.
Aren't tattoos illegal in Boston? Remember a friend wanting a Bosox tattoo and having to cross a county or state border to get one done. And the person doing messed it up badly because they were a Yankee :stoned:
I'll give y'all a messed up US law. Well, Texas law, anyway. It is actually still on the lawbooks that the penalty for Stealing Cattle ("Cattle Rustling") is Hanging.
Just found this sight and wanted to say hi, and that I look forward to seeing KotB. Here is one for you. It is illegal in one of the southern states, cant remembe wich to have sex with porcupines. I dont know which is funnier, that the law exists or enough people have done it to make one.
Apparently defacing the reigning monarch's image is an act of treason as well, and treason is the only crime still punishable by death in the UK, so squashing coins in a vice, or on train tracks (thanks the the train) is a death sentance waiting to happen. I actually have a couple of Scottish friends, and a home made bow, time for a trip to York I think.
In the middle of the 'should Oz become a Republic?' debate, the Mint issued a new $5 note with the Queen's head in the middle. What a fantastically non-political act. It was a plastic note and with a bit of coke or beer and very little rubbing her face came right off - or so I'm told...
