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Boston’s Fenway Park is full of criminals. In the state of Massachusetts, it’s technically illegal to swear at or otherwise insult athletes or officials during sporting events. That would make thousands of Red Sox fans liable for a fine of $50 every time they voice their displeasure at the opposing team.
Sox fans aren’t the only ones inadvertently living a life of crime. Thanks to a combination of antiquated sensibilities and the hassle of getting old laws repealed, a number of localities have rules on the books that could, at least in theory, get one in hot water for holding a bingo game lasting more than five hours (North Carolina), using Silly String (Southington, Connecticut), or buying alcohol during a hurricane (select Florida counties).
See if you can figure out which of the weird laws are still in effect in the quiz below.
Does anyone actually suffer any consequences for violating these laws? At least one person did. In 1998, a Michigan man who tipped over in his canoe and let off some profanity-laced steam was found to be in violation of an 1897 law prohibiting cursing around women and children. He was ticketed and fined $75 and community service. The state’s Court of Appeals overturned the conviction in 2002.
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