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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

Boyish-looking Fig Newton, Cherokee-blooded and a onetime vaudevillian, promoted seven separate petitions, ranging from a Sunday closing blue law to freedom for Political Prisoner Tom Mooney.

From Time Magazine Archive

During the week Lord Renfrew received telegrams and letters from blue law exponents urging him to give up his Sunday golf.

From Time Magazine Archive

In the lobby a newsgatherer asked Mr. Bowlby about the "blue law."

From Time Magazine Archive

"Shall we have to give up our vacation at Hollyhill on account of this?" asked Katherine Crane almost as dejectedly as if she were being sentenced to prison for violating a Connecticut blue law.

From Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains or, A Christmas Success against Odds by Stella M. Francis

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