Minnesota

In Minnesota, any game in which participants attempt to capture a greased or oiled pig is illegal. The same laws also prohibits turkey scrambles. Let's assume legislators were more concerned with animal cruelty than human stupidity.

Mississippi

Using profanity in front of two or more persons in a public place might land you in the county jail for up to 30 days. Or you could pay a hefty fine to the state swear jar, no more than $100.

While this law appears to be a direct assault on the First Amendment, it's thought to have been conceived in order to protect the public.

Missouri

If any bull or ram over the age of 1 year old runs rampant for more than three days, any person may castrate the animal without assuming liability for damage. Three town residents must attest in writing that the animal is loose, and its owner must fail to reclaim or confine the beast after notice is given.

Montana

Guiding sheep onto a railroad track with intent to injure the train, not the sheep, can stick you with a whopping fine up to $50,000 and a stay at the state prison not exceeding five years. The locomotive corporation or owners of the railroad must be harmed, in addition to Dolly and friends.

Nebraska

No person who is afflicted with a venereal disease can marry. While it's nearly impossible to enforce, this health code could prevent marital bliss for more than 8,000 Nebraskans who reported cases of chlamydia or gonorrhea to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2012.

Nevada

In the only state where prostitution won't get you arrested in most counties, using x-rays to determine shoe size could. That may sound strange, but a device with that exact purpose actually exists: a shoe-fitting fluoroscope also known as a pedoscope or foot-o-scope.

With the knowledge that exposure to radiation harms people in awful ways, this practice went by the wayside. But at one point, the state had to spell it out. Anyone who didn't get the message is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Date: 2015-02-28; view: 708