Though shall not puteth tomatoes on the chowdah. Or the weird Massachusetts law goes something like that.
Massachusetts has some unique quirks, like a Museum of Bad Art, South End ghost rumors, and a jail turned luxury hotel. But perhaps, stranger than these destination quirky places around the state, are the laws that got us to where we are today, many of them outdated but not always repealed.
Here are some strange Massachusetts laws that’ll leave you scratching your noggin.
1. It’s illegal to involve tomatoes in the production of clam chowder.
What is this, New York? We don’t fool around with our chowda here.
2. Gorillas can only ride shotgun.
Oh, and you also can’t bring them to the movie theater, nor lions. There was a law for that too.
3. Snoring is strictly prohibited unless all windows are securely sealed.
Tell your neighbors.
4. Goatees are prohibited.
Talk about the fashion police.
5. It’s illegal to sell individual bottled water in some state towns.
Gotta protect those natural habitats!
6. Defacing a milk carton is illegal.
Draw on that $5 carton of milk and you might get a $10 fine.
7. Swearing was illegal inside Boston city limits.
In Boston? Can you imagine?
8. Meanwhile in modern Dudley, Massachusetts owning over three cats is illegal.
One resident owned 15 cats, ruined a neighbor’s lawn, and the rest is history.
9. Chasing a pigeon, illegal.
Give the birds their space.
10. It’s illegal to not complete the National Anthem.
You better finish it through, because if you don’t that’s a potential $100 fine. Better brush up that fermata.
Here’s a new law proposal that’ll also leave you smiling, in other ways. Massachusetts lawmakers are considering implementation of the 32-hour workweek. The pilot program is expected to launch next year.