Quiz: Can you spot the fake laws from the real ones?

If you organise a poker game in your local library, are you breaking the law? Illustration: Michele Marconi

1. You park your car, go to buy a ticket, and then realise you don’t have the correct change for the ticket machine. You ask someone behind you in the queue, a stranger, for change. Doing so makes you a lawbreaker.

   1. True.

   2. False.

2. You switch on your burglar alarm before leaving home for a holiday. But you haven’t nominated a keyholder who can gain entry to switch the alarm off, should it be activated. While lounging on the beach, you’re liable to land in legal hot water.

   1. True.

   2. False.

3. In England, if somebody knocks at your door asking to use your loo, you are breaking the law if you turn him or her away.

   1. True.

   2. False.

4. In London, if you buy a ladder from a DIY store and carry it home, you are breaking the law.

   1. True.

   2. False.

5. Disturbing people wilfully by ringing their doorbell or knocking on their door is a criminal offence the UK.

   1. True.

   2. False.

6. Importing potatoes from Greece to Britain without first notifying the authorities is a breach of the law.

   1. True.

   2. False.

7. Handling a sardine in suspicious circumstances is against the law.

   1. True.

   2. False.

8. If you organised a game of poker in your local library, you are breaking the law.

   1. True.

   2. False.

9. Jumping the queue in the tube ticket hall is a criminal offence.

   1. True.

   2. False.

10. It is illegal to stand within 100 yards of the reigning monarch without wearing socks.

    1. True.

    2. False.

Solutions

1:A - Under the 1824 Vagrancy Act, which is still in force, asking a stranger for change is still classed as begging, which could theoretically land you in “the house of correction” for a few weeks., 2:A - This is a fairly new piece of legislation, established under the terms of the 2005 Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act., 3:B - It is against the law, but only in Scotland., 4:A - Under Section 54 of the 1839 Metropolitan Police Act, it is an offence to “roll or carry any cask, tub, hoop, or wheel, or any ladder, plank, or pole, upon any footway, except for the purpose of loading or unloading any cart or carriage, or of crossing the footway”., 5:A - A little-known law under the 1847 Town Police Clauses Act makes it illegal, with culprits facing up to 14 days’ jail., 6:B - Most European spuds are OK. However, imports of Polish potatoes to Britain are banned, under legislation that came into effect in 2004, following a localised outbreak of ring rot., 7:B - But acting questionably with a salmon is, thanks to the 1986 Salmon Act. This legislation aimed to reduce the poaching of salmon by making the “handling” of stolen salmon a criminal offence. , 8:A - The 1898 Libraries Offences Act makes it illegal to gamble in a library., 9:A - Under the TfL railway byelaws, any person directed to queue by an authorised person or a sign must join the rear of the queue and obey the reasonable instructions of any authorised person regulating the queue., 10:B - Henry VIII and Elizabeth I passed sumptuary laws regulating clothing styles, for example prohibiting anyone at the royal court from wearing hose of “monstrous and outrageous greatness”, but these were generally repealed by James I.

Scores

1. 10 and above.

   Excellent. You’re a model citizen.

2. 7 and above.

   Very good. Go forth and share your law-abiding ways.

3. 4 and above.

   Must try harder. You’re generally law-abiding, but may accidentally stray from the path.

4. 0 and above.

   Do not pass Go. Do not collect £200. You are a certified criminal!