The Urban Legend of Illegal Ice Cream Cones and Old-Timey Laws

Have you ever heard the rumor that having an ice cream cone in your back pocket is illegal? While this idea might seem humorous and somewhat absurd, it highlights the sometimes quirky and often outdated laws of times gone by.

The Myths and Origins

The claim that it was illegal to have an ice cream cone in one's back pocket is indeed a myth, though it has circulated as a fun fact and urban legend. This quirky notion usually appears in discussions about strange or outdated laws. Its origin might stem from the past when certain laws were enacted to prevent theft or ensure public decency. Actions that could lead to mischief or disorder were discouraged, and having an ice cream cone in one's back pocket could imply an intent to steal or hide it.

No Specific Legislation

Despite the widespread belief, there is no specific law in most jurisdictions that makes carrying an ice cream cone in your back pocket illegal. These are more playful anecdotes rather than serious legal issues. The Kentucky Revised Statutes and other state laws generally do not include such a provision.

Protecting Escaped Mental Patients

One possible origin of this myth could be the need for law enforcement to easily identify escaped mental patients. However, the reality suggests that there are no specific laws in place for this purpose. The only reference to ice cream in the Kentucky laws is regarding the licensing of ice cream trucks.

Historical Context and Blue Laws

Another possible explanation involves olden times, where a horsethief would play a trick on would-be pursuers by putting an ice cream cone in their back pocket. The horse being followed would eat the cone, leading the thief to say, the horse just followed me because it wanted to eat the ice cream! This practice would provide plausible deniability. Similarly, there are instances where certain practices, like blue laws, were put in place that are no longer enforced, but are still on the books, such as the idea that one couldn't tie their pet alligator to a fire hydrant.

Modern Perspective

While these old laws and practices might seem amusing to us today, it's important to remember what was deemed necessary or funny back then. Indiana, Kentucky, and Georgia, among other states, have made efforts to clean up their books by removing outdated or absurd laws.

For instance, the Official Code of Georgia Annotated does not prohibit the practice, but it does have laws against unlawful luring of game, which could include a horse. These days, such laws are more likely to be outdated and no longer enforced.

In conclusion, the idea that an ice cream cone in your back pocket is illegal is a humorous and entertaining myth. It serves as a reminder of the quirky and often absurd laws from the past, encouraging us to appreciate how far we've come and the importance of reviewing and updating our legal codes.