You may be one of those lucky people that would claim to live in a country with free speech, and that may be true, but there are still lots of things that you can’t just go around blurting out, even in places like the United States. And even though you very well may live in a free country there are probably lots of things you can’t do.
You can’t yell fire in a building when it’s not burning, that is typically punishable. You can’t punch your boss in the face. That is also punishable. Although if you live in the western world, you probably have more freedom and more rights than most other countries or cultures (even historical ones), these are things worth considering.
There are some things, however, that was perfectly fine to do up until a certain point. And that point was always somebody coming along and ruining that perfectly ok thing. What you will notice is that one political party was responsible for many of these, namely the Nazis.
Whether it was swastikas (which are a symbol of peace and luck in India even to this day) or Roman salutes (which were even used by the Boys Scouts before World War II), there is no end to the things that were perfectly usable until somebody came along and corrupted them. These are 25 things that have been completely ruined beyond repair.
Featured Image: Abd allah Foteih via Flickr
Toothbrush Mustaches
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: As you can probably guess, Hitler and his henchman will most likely be responsible for a significant portion of this list.
Listening to Isis (the rock band)
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: All you have to do is watch the news. Seriously, you can’t even listen to those songs anymore. Can you imagine explaining your choice of music in public? “What are you listening to Billy?” “Oh, nothing, just some Isis. It’s great!”.
Swastikas
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: For thousands of years it was considered a symbol of peace and good luck on the Indian subcontinent and then Hitler came along. In fact, at Hindu weddings it’s not weird to hang swastikas everywhere for good luck. Now just try to imagine a Hindu/Jewish wedding (they happen). We told you Hitler would be back on this list.
Ghost costumes
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: We’ve got three letters for you – KKK. If you’re white sheet accidentally come to point over your head you might regret your choice of costume later.
The name Adolf
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: Yes, we’re back to the Nazis and their ruinous legacy. Adolf used to be a perfectly common name. Of course it’s not even legal in some place these days and so many people even had to change their names.
The phrase "you only live once"
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: Because ever since super cool teenagers abbreviated it and started “yolo-ing” everything…it’s not cool anymore. It just isn’t.
Listening to Lostprophets (the band)
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: Lead singer Ian Watkins was convicted for raping babies and sentenced to 29 years in prison.
Clowns
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: Thanks to John Wayne Gacy and Pennywise, clown costumes have joined ghosts in the world of taboo. Or at the very least you’ll need skill to pull it off.
Dads being able to take their kids to the playground
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: Because that’s what pedophiles do. It’s your kid? That’s not what all those moms on the other bench think. Media takes the blame for this one considering that most child abuse is done by close relatives.
Roman salutes
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: Because of Hitler…again. Seriously, this use to even be the Boy Scout salute for a while.
Driving white vans
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: Because just like taking your kid to the playground, you’ll probably have people thinking you’re a child molester.
Trench coats
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: Because for some reason school shooters and flashers all gravitated to this once respectable piece of clothing. And oh yea, don’t forget the Nazis.
Crossfit
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: Because everyone assumes you’re in some kind of cult thanks to the maniacs who won’t ever stop talking about Crossfit.
Being a vegetarian
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: For the same reason as Crossfit. As they say, how do you know when someone is vegetarian? They’ll tell you! And then they’ll ruin it for the rest.
Fanny packs
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: These things could legitimately have been useful but these days you might as well go running down the street yelling “I’m a naive and stereotypical American tourist!”
The word "niggardly"
Source: reddit Why: Although it has absolutely nothing to do with race or skin color (it means meagre and has been around since Old English) given US history and the term’s similarity to other terms, there is no wise way to use this word anymore.
The name Nimrod
Source: reddit Why: Thanks to Bugs Bunny calling Elmer Fudd “Nimrod”, the name of this mighty biblical hunter just kind of fell out of favor.
Skinhead style
Source: reddit, Image: pixabay Why: What used to be a popular style in England during the 60s was basically taken over by none other than the neo-Nazis. Seriously, they will never stop.
Moderate and reasonable socialism being implemented in the US
Source: reddit Why: Because communism/Russia/Cold War/McCarthyism all completely ruined any hope of that.
Tribal tattoos
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: Because now if you are legitimately from a tribe and you are legitimately trying to show “tribe pride”, people will think you are in Crossfit (see #12 to understand why that is bad)
The name Benedict (in the US)
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: Benedict Arnold was a general during the American Revolutionary War that betrayed the colonies and changed sides. It’s not too often that you run across Benedicts in the US unless you’re eating breakfast.
The upside down cross
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: It was originally a Christian symbol of humility when St Peter asked to be crucified upside down because he felt as though he was not worthy to be crucified in the same way as Jesus. It was even called the Petrine cross. Today, however, it’s become associated with satanism.
Comb overs
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: Donald Trump
Shouting speeches in German
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: You already know.
Single colored bandanas
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Why: Because you never know what gang you’re going to be associated with.
