If you’re planning a trip to the U.S. or just traveling cross-country with the family this year, there are a few crazy laws still on the books today you may want to review with your travel party. Some of them are old and outdated and were never redacted, and others were enacted as publicity stunts. Here are five of the dumbest laws we could find that are still active today:
Arkansas
It’s illegal to mispronounce the state name.
If you plan on visiting Arkansas, make sure you know how to correctly pronounce its name! The state code states that the only acceptable pronunciation of ‘Arkansas’ is “in three (3) syllables, with the final ‘s’ silent, the ‘a’ in each syllable with the Italian sound, and the accent on the first and last syllables.” In 1881, this pronunciation was made official by the legislature after the two senators for the state at the time argued over how it should be pronounced.
Connecticut
In Connecticut, all pickles must bounce.
In the state of Connecticut, a pickle may not be sold unless it bounces. In 1948 an article was written explaining the reasoning behind the law. Apparently, two pickle packers attempted to sell the pickled treats when they were “unfit for human consumption.” The state’s Food and Drug Commissioner then declared that a pickle should bounce when it was dropped from a distance of one foot, and this suggestion became law.
Florida
You can’t sell your kids in Florida.
Although children can get annoying when traveling, selling your children in Florida is a felony crime. This one is pretty obvious, and really unnecessary since this is already a federal crime. The state of Florida felt so strongly about it though that they made it a state law, too. This means if you attempt to sell your kids you could face both state and federal charges in the matter, and as a result your court records history will also grow exponentially.
Idaho
Cannibalism is illegal in Idaho.
If you plan on seeing the great potato state, make sure you understand there’s a ban on cannibalism there. This is defined as “nonconsensual consumption” of another human, and is technically not a crime in the rest of the country. In the state code, it states that drinking human blood can also fall under this law, and it’s punishable by up to 14 years in prison. So leave your vampire gear at home if you plan on visiting Idaho anytime soon!
Georgia
In one town in Georgia, it’s illegal to eat fried chicken with utensils.
If you plan on eating the traditional southern dish of fried chicken in Gainesville, Georgia, prepare to get messy. Apparently, in the city of Gainesville, “finger-lickin” is mandatory. In 1961, a law was added to the city code as a publicity stunt stating you can’t eat fried chicken with anything other than your fingers. The town was trying to attract tourists and released a string of commercials and used the platform that the people there really love their fried chicken. Gainesville happens to be the “poultry capital of the world.” In 2009, a tourist was “arrested” for using a fork to eat his chicken.
Other Traveling Advice
If you’re planning a trip to any state in the U.S., it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with local and state laws to ensure you don’t break any that actually make sense, too. For example, some states or cities may allow open alcohol containers on the streets and others don’t. Some give the right of way to pedestrians or bicycles and others don’t – traffic laws can vary widely between states. These are all good things to know about the place you plan on visiting so you don’t inadvertently break a local law and risk an encounter with law enforcement.
Finally, ensure you remain safe in an unknown town or state. Dating safety is vitally important if you plan on meeting a new person while visiting. Conduct an online search for any criminal history and make sure you’re connecting them via a reputable company. Remember to never travel at night alone and never let anyone you don’t know where you’re staying. If you’re traveling alone, don’t let anyone you’re just meeting know this information, either.
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