Silly Laws

STEED · 11-08-07, 03:11 PM

What a corker this lot are.

:rotfl:

Quote:

Ten stupidest laws are named

These are the stupidest laws, according to percentage share of public vote.
Most ridiculous British laws:
1. It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament (27%)
2. It is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British monarch upside-down (7%)
3. In Liverpool, it is illegal for a woman to be topless except as a clerk in a tropical fish store (6%)

Most ridiculous foreign laws:
1. In Ohio, it is illegal to get a fish drunk (9%)
2. In Indonesia, the penalty for masturbation is decapitation (8%)
3. In Bahrain, a male doctor can only examine the genitals of a woman in the reflection of a mirror (7%)

Full List >>>>> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/11/06/nlaws206.xml

Story >>>>> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/11/06/nlaws106.xml

bigboywooly · 11-08-07, 06:30 PM

:rotfl:

IIRC there is a similar one to number 10 involving the Welsh and a bow and arrow too

P_Funk · 11-08-07, 08:36 PM

Quote:

9. It is illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament in a suit of armour

That one isn't so stupid. In fact if you know history it makes perfect sense, so long as you know... people actually have a sense of history... which they don't.

Reaves · 11-08-07, 08:36 PM

3. In Liverpool, it is illegal for a woman to be topless except as a clerk in a tropical fish store (6%)

I know where i'm starting my new business.

baggygreen · 11-08-07, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P_Funk

Quote:

9. It is illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament in a suit of armour

That one isn't so stupid. In fact if you know history it makes perfect sense, so long as you know... people actually have a sense of history... which they don't.

QFT

Course, it is silly in the sense that the fools havent bothered to abolish such an outdated law...

Then again, it says body armour which could broadly cover kevlar vests or helmets etc... On The Bill every copper has a kevlar vest, how about cops stationed at parliament? Are they breaking the law?

:hmm:

Chock · 11-08-07, 08:59 PM

Yup, that one with the Welsh and a bow and arrow is something to do with the defence of Chester and the laws about having to practice with a bow and arrow so that there would be people proficient at archery if an army was raised. I think you were only allowed to kill a Welshman with a bow on any day except Sunday or something daft like that.

My personal favourite was a local bylaw at Greenham Common, which you will remember, is where the USAF sited its Tomahawk cruise missiles in the UK, to much protestation from the tree-hugger brigade. Before the site was constructed, there used to be a sign on the common which read: 'The launching of missiles is strictly prohibited' in reference to not being allowed to play ball games and stuff like that.

Chock

bookworm_020 · 11-09-07, 12:32 AM

Don't worry, Australia has got some as well.

http://www.dumblaws.com/laws/international/australia/

Have a look at the rest of the world, it almost makes you want to give up on life.

Letum · 11-09-07, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chock

Yup, that one with the Welsh and a bow and arrow is something to do with the defence of Chester and the laws about having to practice with a bow and arrow so that there would be people proficient at archery if an army was raised. I think you were only allowed to kill a Welshman with a bow on any day except Sunday or something daft like that.

Chester?!
Welsh?

My home city of York had a law that made it legal to kill a Scotsman if you where standing on the city walls using a bow and it wasn't Sunday.

Totally unreliable source #1

Quote:

it is technically still legal to shoot a Scotsman in York, but only if you spot him within the town walls after dark on a Sunday, your weapon of choice is a bow-and-arrow, and you shoot from horseback!

Totally unreliable source #2
Bow carrying variation.

Quote:

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 (2%)

Totally unreliable source #3
Carlisle, newyear, axe variation.

Quote:

It is legal to kill a scotsman in carlisle on new years day with an axe

Totally unreliable source #4
Crossbow variation.

Quote:

There is a by law in York, England ( Where I live ) Which states that I can legally kill a Scotsman with a cross bow on any Sunday.

I have heard countless other variations.

Unless someone can find a primary source I am convinced that this is just a urban myth.

As it happens I live but a few miles from York.

Chock · 11-09-07, 03:03 AM

It may indeed be one of those mythical tales, I've got a vague recollection of hearing it while on a guided tour of the city walls at Chester (which would kind of make sense from at least a geographical standpoint, it being on the Welsh/English border), but of course me 'seeming to recall something' doesn't prove anything.

I do know part of the version I heard has some basis in fact, evidently it was often up to the local clergyman in villages and towns to organise archery practice for anyone over a certain age once a week, so that may be where the 'Sunday' bit comes from.

I'm sure someone will enlighten us with a slightly believable wiki link at some point.

Chock

Letum · 11-09-07, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chock

I do know part of the version I heard has some basis in fact, evidently it was often up to the local clergyman in villages and towns to organise archery practice for anyone over a certain age once a week, so that may be where the 'Sunday' bit comes from.

Yup, that is true.

A kind of proto-national service to ensure England could raise quick, cheep armys to fend off the catholic nations.

Jimbuna · 11-09-07, 03:34 PM

In Switzerland, it is illegal to flush the toilet after 10 PM. :hmm:

What a load of sh*t :rotfl:

Chock · 11-09-07, 03:38 PM

I love the UK one about not being allowed to sound your horn in a built up area after a certain time. Alright, I'll just have a major crash then instead, shall I?

Chock

Hitman · 11-09-07, 03:42 PM

Here's another one that isn't on the list:

In Spain, the owner of a swarm of bees has the right to pursue them entering the property of anyone, but he has to pay for any damage caused. If he ceases to pursue the swarm for two consecutive days, anybody can try to get it.

Current paragraph 610 of our Civil Code

Jimbuna · 11-09-07, 03:52 PM

Different states of the United States have some unique yet foolish and eccentric laws of their own. In Alabama, putting salt on a railroad track may be punishable by death and keeping an ice cream cone in your back pocket at any time is a crime. A law in Fairbanks, Alaska does not allow moose to have sex on city streets. In Alaska, you may hunt a bear safely but it is illegal to wake a bear and take a picture for photo opportunities.

XabbaRus · 11-09-07, 04:39 PM

The last one about the bear makes perfect sense in this sue happy world.

Oh as for killing scots men. how about, it is legal to kill a scotsman anywhere in England at any time of the day with any weapon that comes to hand...actually I'll change that to something more specific. If his name happens to be Alex Salmond.....

Joke...... not funny but a joke.

11-08-07, 08:59 PM	#6
Chock Sea Lord Join Date: May 2005 Location: Under a thermal layer in chilly Olde England Posts: 1,842 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yup, that one with the Welsh and a bow and arrow is something to do with the defence of Chester and the laws about having to practice with a bow and arrow so that there would be people proficient at archery if an army was raised. I think you were only allowed to kill a Welshman with a bow on any day except Sunday or something daft like that. My personal favourite was a local bylaw at Greenham Common, which you will remember, is where the USAF sited its Tomahawk cruise missiles in the UK, to much protestation from the tree-hugger brigade. Before the site was constructed, there used to be a sign on the common which read: 'The launching of missiles is strictly prohibited' in reference to not being allowed to play ball games and stuff like that. Chock __________________

11-09-07, 12:32 AM	#7
bookworm_020 Navy Seal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sinking ships off the Australian coast Posts: 5,966 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Don't worry, Australia has got some as well. http://www.dumblaws.com/laws/international/australia/ Have a look at the rest of the world, it almost makes you want to give up on life. __________________ "There is always one person in any organization who knows whats going on, That person must be fired"

11-09-07, 03:03 AM	#9
Chock Sea Lord Join Date: May 2005 Location: Under a thermal layer in chilly Olde England Posts: 1,842 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It may indeed be one of those mythical tales, I've got a vague recollection of hearing it while on a guided tour of the city walls at Chester (which would kind of make sense from at least a geographical standpoint, it being on the Welsh/English border), but of course me 'seeming to recall something' doesn't prove anything. I do know part of the version I heard has some basis in fact, evidently it was often up to the local clergyman in villages and towns to organise archery practice for anyone over a certain age once a week, so that may be where the 'Sunday' bit comes from. I'm sure someone will enlighten us with a slightly believable wiki link at some point. Chock __________________

11-09-07, 03:34 PM	#11
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,742 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	In Switzerland, it is illegal to flush the toilet after 10 PM. :hmm: What a load of sht :rotfl: __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.* Oh my God, not again!!

11-09-07, 03:38 PM	#12
Chock Sea Lord Join Date: May 2005 Location: Under a thermal layer in chilly Olde England Posts: 1,842 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I love the UK one about not being allowed to sound your horn in a built up area after a certain time. Alright, I'll just have a major crash then instead, shall I? Chock __________________

11-08-07, 06:30 PM	#2
bigboywooly Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Swindon, England Posts: 10,151 Downloads: 35 Uploads: 0	:rotfl: IIRC there is a similar one to number 10 involving the Welsh and a bow and arrow too __________________ My mediafire page http://www.mediafire.com/?11eoq19bq9r41

11-08-07, 08:36 PM	#4
Reaves The Old Man Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,509 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	3. In Liverpool, it is illegal for a woman to be topless except as a clerk in a tropical fish store (6%) I know where i'm starting my new business. __________________

11-09-07, 03:42 PM	#13
Hitman Pacific Aces Dev Team Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Spain Posts: 6,109 Downloads: 109 Uploads: 2	Here's another one that isn't on the list: In Spain, the owner of a swarm of bees has the right to pursue them entering the property of anyone, but he has to pay for any damage caused. If he ceases to pursue the swarm for two consecutive days, anybody can try to get it. Current paragraph 610 of our Civil Code __________________ One day I will return to sea ...

11-09-07, 03:52 PM	#14
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,742 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Different states of the United States have some unique yet foolish and eccentric laws of their own. In Alabama, putting salt on a railroad track may be punishable by death and keeping an ice cream cone in your back pocket at any time is a crime. A law in Fairbanks, Alaska does not allow moose to have sex on city streets. In Alaska, you may hunt a bear safely but it is illegal to wake a bear and take a picture for photo opportunities. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

11-09-07, 04:39 PM	#15
XabbaRus Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,330 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	The last one about the bear makes perfect sense in this sue happy world. Oh as for killing scots men. how about, it is legal to kill a scotsman anywhere in England at any time of the day with any weapon that comes to hand...actually I'll change that to something more specific. If his name happens to be Alex Salmond..... Joke...... not funny but a joke. __________________