487: jaywalking Apr 7, 2016

Jaywalking isn't something too serious in most cases, but it is illegal. Jaywalking-laws were heavily influenced by propaganda made by car companies in the 1910's to prevent people from walking in the streets. The street used to be a place for everyone but constant car accidents reflected badly on car-manufacturers. In the early 20th century, 'jay' was an insult, similar to modern 'retard', but the term 'jaywalking' became so common that it is used in legal documents.