8 Bizarre Old American Laws, Still in Effect Today

Advertisement for the American comedy film Stop Flirting (1925), on page 2 of the March 15, 1925 Film Daily.

(Source: Wikimedia Commons).

There are numerous strange laws still in effect today that date back to centuries ago and reflect the cultural, social, and political norms of the time. Despite being outdated and often bizarre, these laws remain on the books in America and are still enforced, although infrequently. Here are some of the weirdest old laws still in effect today:

1. No Singing in the Bathtub in Michigan - In Michigan, it is illegal to sing in the bathtub. This law dates back to the early 20th century when public health officials sought to discourage people from using the bathtub for purposes other than bathing.

2. No Eating Fried Chicken with Your Hands in Georgia - In Georgia, it is illegal to eat fried chicken with your hands. This law was enacted in the 1930s to promote proper table manners and etiquette.

3. No Skipping Stones Across the Water in Vermont - In Vermont, it is illegal to skip stones across the water. This law dates back to the early 19th century when the government sought to protect the state's water resources from damage caused by people skipping stones.

4. No Flirting on Sundays in Eureka, Nevada - In Eureka, Nevada, it is illegal to flirt on Sundays. This law dates back to the late 19th century when the town sought to promote moral and religious values by prohibiting any form of flirtatious behavior on Sundays.

5. No Wearing High Heels in Carmel, California - In Carmel, California, it is illegal to wear high heels without a permit. This law dates back to the early 20th century when the city sought to protect its streets and sidewalks from damage caused by women's high-heeled shoes.

(Source: Wikimedia Commons).

6. No Sleeping Naked in Vermont - In Vermont, it is illegal to sleep naked. This law dates back to the early 19th century when the state sought to promote proper hygiene and health by requiring people to wear clothing while sleeping.

7. No Having More Than One Drink at a Time in a Bar in Mississippi - In Mississippi, it is illegal to have more than one drink at a time in a bar. This law dates back to the early 20th century when the state sought to discourage excessive drinking and promote temperance.

8. No Whistling for Your Lost Canaries in Coal Mines in West Virginia - In West Virginia, it is illegal to whistle for your lost canaries in coal mines. This law dates back to the early 20th century when canaries were used to detect poisonous gases in coal mines and whistling for them was deemed dangerous and disruptive to mining operations.

Mining foreman R. Thornburg shows a small cage with a canary used for testing carbon monoxide gas in 1928. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

There are numerous strange laws still in effect today that date back to centuries ago and reflect the cultural, social, and political norms of the time. Despite being outdated and often bizarre, these laws serve as a reminder of the strange and often quirky legal history of various countries. While it is unlikely that these laws will ever be enforced, they are a fascinating glimpse into the past and a testament to the diversity and creativity of human culture and legal systems.