Absurd laws that are actually real
Ever wonder why it's illegal to handle salmon suspiciously? We explore the world's funniest regulations and the surprising reasons they still exist.
Best quote from Absurd laws that are actually real
We are governed by the ghosts of people who were worried about horse hunger and suspicious salmon; it’s that persistence of the past into the present that makes the legal world so surreal.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
The hosts welcome listeners to the Real English channel. The topic of the podcast is: 'The Funniest and Most Absurd Laws in the World.' It’s a very funny episode, with lots of jokes about ridiculous laws and plenty of laughter. At the end of the video, the hosts say goodbye to the viewers and invite them to write in the comments what topic they would like to hear in the next podcast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many of these regulations are considered "legal fossils" or "zombie laws." They were originally created as practical solutions to specific historical issues, such as ensuring horse-drawn taxis had food for the animals. Over time, as technology and society evolved, these laws remained on the books because the process of formally repealing them is often more laborious than simply ignoring them. This results in a "legal housekeeping" failure where rules outlive the culture that created them.
While it may seem like an expensive tax on nature lovers, the law is rooted in the preservation of the city's historical architecture. Venice is treated as an open-air museum, and pigeon droppings are highly corrosive to ancient marble and art. The high fine of seven hundred euros is intended to protect the physical integrity of the city's heritage, though the gap between that practical intent and the daily reality of a tourist with breadcrumbs creates a sense of absurdity.
Yes, this stems from the Salmon Act of 1986. The original legal intent was to provide a framework for authorities to crack down on illegal fishing and poaching. However, the specific phrasing of the law—prohibiting the handling of fish in "suspicious circumstances"—is so vague and poorly chosen that it has become a famous example of how weak legal rhetoric can turn a serious regulation into a subject of public mockery.
These are often referred to as "Sabbath laws" or "blue laws." They were designed to ensure the day of rest remained quiet or "holy" according to the social and religious standards of the time. Because lawmakers often try to define prohibited behaviors very narrowly to be effective, they ended up creating highly specific and bizarre rules, such as the historical ban in Victoria, Australia, against wearing hot pink pants on a Sunday afternoon.
Several laws mentioned in the script attempt to legislate social harmony or "good behavior." For example, Samoa has a law making it illegal to forget a wife's birthday to enforce domestic attentiveness, and Milan, Italy, has a historical requirement for citizens to smile at all times except at funerals or hospitals. These laws highlight the "boundaries of desire," where a government tries to mandate internal feelings or private social cues through public legislation.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
