The Strangest Criminal Code in the World

[Larry_Mudd]

Here’s a timely "Ripley’s Believe It Or Not"radio spot from the 1930’s about outrageously misogynist legislation. (It’s a 240k .mp3 file.)

*Ancient and primitive societies have always dealt strongly with their womenfolk. Either they were veiled, or silent, or belittled in one way or another. But these family rules are nothing compared to the laws of (“Papyanok?”,) a small island of the west coast of Borneo. In this delightful community, it’s a capital crime to save a woman from drowning. It’s the way they express their pride that their women are the best swimmers in the world.

*Believe it? Or not?
[sub]mods, rest assured that the link is in the public domain.[/sub]

[Wump]

What if the woman had no arms or legs?

[galen_ubal]

…then she’d be Bobbi

[Larry_Mudd]

And when she washes up on the beach?

[screech-owl]

Sandy or Marshy, depending on which beach.

[matt_mcl]

Well, I suppose I can’t compete with that. But the Montreal metro system specifically forbids you to ride a unicycle in the metro.

Of course, you may BRING a unicycle into the metro, should you so desire, but you are forbidden to RIDE it.