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blue law

American  

noun

  1. any puritanical law that forbids certain practices, especially drinking or working on Sunday, dancing, etc.


Etymology

Origin of blue law

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — It is still illegal to buy alcohol at a liquor store on Sunday in Indiana, a red state holding fast to an old blue law.

From New York Times Dec. 23, 2015

An 1822 blue law still forbids Mississippians to attend bearbaiting, cockfights, bullfights and any other routine amusements of a Sabbath.

From Time Magazine Archive

He decided to enforce the moribund blue law against Sunday drinking.

From Time Magazine Archive

A "blue law" bill was under discussion by the House Committee on the District of Columbia.

From Time Magazine Archive

We had been assured by a newspaper friend that Washington was so full of inventors and blue law fans that if you "dropped a match anywhere a nut would step on it."

From Turns about Town by Holliday, Robert Cortes

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