From Socks to Elephants: 5 Comically Outdated Laws Still on the Books in Ohio

Have you ever wondered if there are any outdated laws still on the books in Ohio? You might be surprised to learn that some laws in Ohio are so outdated that they’re almost comical. While these laws may have made sense at one time, they now seem silly in today’s world. Let’s take a look at five of these outdated laws still on the books in Ohio.

1. It’s illegal to get a fish drunk.

Yes, you read that right. It is illegal to get a fish drunk in Ohio. This law dates back to 1837 when the Ohio Legislature passed a law stating that “No person shall be allowed to catch fish with a bottle, or by any other means whatever, except with a hook and line.” The law also made it illegal to “drug fish” or “stupefy fish” with any kind of drug or poison.

Now, while it’s highly unlikely that anyone in Ohio is going around trying to get fish drunk, the fact remains that this law is still on the books. It just goes to show you how much times have changed since 1837.

2. Women are prohibited from wearing patent leather shoes in public.

Another outdated law on the books in Ohio is the prohibition of women wearing patent leather shoes in public. This law dates back to the 1930s when patent leather shoes were considered too “shiny” and could potentially distract drivers. The law was intended to prevent accidents caused by drivers being distracted by the shine of patent leather shoes.

While it’s highly unlikely that anyone in Ohio is going to be arrested for wearing patent leather shoes, the fact that this law is still on the books is quite amusing.

3. Elephants cannot be tied to parking meters or other public fixtures.

You might think that it would be common sense not to tie an elephant to a parking meter, but apparently, it’s not. This law was passed in Ohio in the 1950s when traveling circuses were more common. The law was intended to prevent elephants from damaging public fixtures like parking meters or fire hydrants.

While it’s highly unlikely that anyone is going to be walking around Ohio with an elephant looking for a parking meter to tie it to, the fact that this law is still on the books is quite amusing.

4. You cannot sell dyed baby chicks.

In Ohio, it is illegal to sell dyed baby chicks. This law was passed in the 1960s when it became popular to dye baby chicks different colors and sell them as novelty pets. The law was intended to prevent the mistreatment of animals and to discourage people from buying them as novelty pets.

While it’s highly unlikely that anyone is going to be arrested for selling dyed baby chicks, the fact that this law is still on the books is quite amusing.

5. It is illegal to wear shorts on the Ohio House floor.

Finally, we have the law that prohibits members of the Ohio House of Representatives from wearing shorts on the House floor. This law dates back to the 1970s when the House passed a dress code requiring members to wear “appropriate business attire” while on the House floor. The law was intended to maintain decorum and professionalism in the Ohio House.

While it’s highly unlikely that anyone in the Ohio House is going to be arrested for wearing shorts, the fact that this law is still on the books is quite amusing.

Ohio has its fair share of outdated laws that might make you scratch your head. While these laws may seem ridiculous now, they serve as a reminder of how much things have changed over the years.