1

"Yes, Hell is a Place on Earth"

Image: Peter Leong

People driving from Lansing to Ann Arbor can take a slight detour and "go through Hell." And Hell lives up to its name, playfully. Founded in Michigan in the 1830s (legend has it that one of the settlers said, "Call it Hell, for all I care!"), this tourist hotspot leans into the joke.

You can "get married in Hell," mail postcards from the Hell Post Office , or grab a souvenir from the Hell Hole Diner. The town even freezes over in winter—because, of course, Hell can freeze over.

2

"Because!"

Image: Danika Perkinson

Why’s name comes from a nearby Y-shaped intersection , but its motto takes full advantage of the pun.

Originally called "Y," this Arizona town had to add an "H" to comply with the state’s three-letter minimum for place names. Today, Why (population: around 160) is a desert oddity whose motto says it all: Because. That’s the only explanation it’s willing to give.

3

"The Town Too Tough to Die"

Image: Andreas Rasmussen

That’s the nickname of Tombstone, Arizona. This Wild West legend earned its motto after surviving fires, shootouts, and near abandonment. Founded in 1879 as a silver boomtown, Tombstone soon became infamous for the gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

When the mines dried up, the town rebranded itself as a living museum of cowboy lore . Today, actors reenact gunfights daily, and the Bird Cage Theatre—once called "the wickedest nightspot between Basin Street and the Barbary Coast"—still stands.

4

"The Town That Was"

Image: Colin Lloyd

Few mottos are as haunting as that of Centralia, Pennsylvania. In 1962, a coal mine fire ignited beneath the town and has burned ever since, turning streets into smoke-filled cracks and forcing nearly everyone to leave.

Today, fewer than ten residents remain in this near-ghost town , where graffiti-covered Route 61—the "Graffiti Highway"—attracts urban explorers. It’s said that the underground fire could continue burning for another 250 years.

5

"The Most Exciting Place to Live"

Image: ALEKSEY KUPRIKOV

Don’t be fooled by the name of Boring, Oregon—its motto is a cheeky nod to its reputation, but the town was actually named after 19th-century settler William Boring .

Every year, the town hosts the "Boring Fest" and sells "Boring, OR" merch. Ironically, the surroundings of Boring are anything but dull: you’ll find stunning trails and ski resorts to explore near Mt. Hood!

6

"No Fear Here"

Image: Jon Tyson

Coward, South Carolina, would like everyone to know they’re no scaredy-cats. Named after a railroad official , the town has embraced its ironic potential with a motto that flips the script.

Located along the "Old Stage Coach Road," Coward is now a quiet pit stop with a sense of humor. No cowards here—just a town that knows how to laugh at itself.

7

"A Nice Place to Live"

Image: Sterling Lanier

In the heart of Amish Country, Intercourse , Pennsylvania, gets its eyebrow-raising name from an old term for " crossroads ." The town leans into the jokes (yes, they sell T-shirts) but keeps it wholesome with a motto that highlights its quiet charm.

Visitors come for the buggy rides, homemade jam, and, of course, the chance to say they’ve been to Intercourse.

8

"Not What You Expected"

Image: Jason Leung

A fitting motto for Surprise, Nebraska. Founded in the 1880s, the town’s origin story has been lost to time , and with a population of around 40, it’s a surprise it’s still on the map at all. That’s exactly what the motto jokes about.

9

"The Town Without a Frown"

Image: Yuyang Liu

Happy, Texas, boasts one of the most wholesome town names—and a matching motto. This Panhandle town of 600 lives up to its name with a smiley-face water tower and an annual "Happy, Texas Day" celebration.

Founded in the 1890s, Happy got its name from cowboys who found water here after a drought.

10

"The Last Word in Hospitality"

Image: vamshi vanaparthi

How do you pronounce Zzyzx, a town in California? It’s "Zye-zix." This Mojave Desert spot was once a health spa run by a self-proclaimed "doctor" who invented the name to be the last word in the dictionary.

Today, it’s a research center—and yes, it remains the last alphabetical town in the US, just as intended.

11

"High and Dry Since 1854"

Image: Aleksandra Sapozhnikova

That’s funny! But irony alert: Waterproof, Louisiana, is ironically prone to flooding. Named after a local plantation owner’s boast that his land was "waterproof," the town’s motto leans into the joke. After multiple floods, the residents have learned to take it in stride.

12

"A Beautiful Mistake"

Image: Sarah Kilian

Finally, we have the quaint town of Accident, located in Maryland. Founded in 1774 after a land surveyor "accidentally" marked the wrong spot , Accident embraces its quirky origin story.

Today, it’s a charming Appalachian town, best known for its humorous name.

1

Georgia: No eating fried chicken with utensils

Image: Shourav Sheikh

In Gainesville, Georgia, it’s i llegal to eat fried chicken with a fork . This law, passed in 1961, was meant as a publicity stunt to promote the city’s status as the "poultry capital of the world."

While no one’s actually getting arrested for improper chicken consumption, a tourist was once jokingly "arrested" for breaking this law in 2009. If you visit Gainesville, just remember, fingers only!

2

Alabama: No stink bombs or confetti

Image: Damiano Lingauri

If you love a good prank or enjoy tossing confetti at celebrations, Mobile, Alabama, is not the place for you. The city has made it illegal to possess or use stink bombs , "funk balls," and anything designed to create unpleasant odors.

That’s not all, confetti and spray string are also outlawed, so don’t plan any glittery parades. Mobile prefers its air fresh and its sidewalks clean. We cannot blame them!

3

Arizona: No spitting in public

Image: Pete F

In Goodyear, Arizona, it’s not just bad manners to spit in public, it’s illegal. The law specifically bans spitting on sidewalks, roads, parks, and public buildings, and if you’re caught doing it, you could face a $2,500 fine or even six months in jail.

So, if you have a bad habit of spitting on the sidewalk , you might want to think twice before visiting Goodyear. Besides, it’s just gross!

4

Louisiana: No crawfish theft

Image: Rasmus Gundorff Sæderup

Think stealing crawfish is a minor offense? Not in Louisiana! Swiping someone’s crawfish , especially if the value exceeds $1,500, is taken so seriously that it can lead to a $3,000 fine or up to ten years in prison.

So, next time you’re enjoying a seafood boil in the Bayou State, make sure you’re not swiping from someone else’s plate!

5

Massachusetts: No dancing to the National Anthem

Image: Jeffrey F Lin

Patriotism is important, but nobody gets it like Massachusetts! In this state, a 1917 law makes it illegal to dance to the national anthem , though enforcing it would likely be a First Amendment nightmare.

It’s unclear why lawmakers felt the need to crack down on patriotic grooves, but to be safe, keep your hand over your heart and save the dancing for later!

6

South Carolina: No working (or dancing!) on Sundays

Image: Jess Bailey

Did you know that in South Carolina, you may technically have an excuse to skip work on Sundays?

An old law still on the books prohibits working on Sundays , though it’s rarely enforced. Strangely enough, dancing is also banned on Sundays. If you were hoping for a weekend filled with productivity and footloose fun, you might have to sit this one out!

7

North Dakota: No late-night fireworks

Image: Ray Hennessy

In Devil’s Lake, North Dakota, you can buy fireworks between December 26th and January 1st, but you can’t set them off after 11 p.m. What?

Let us explain: This law was originally passed for the millennium celebrations in 1999, but it’s still on the books today. Are you planning to ring in the New Year with a bang? Make sure you light those fireworks early or risk breaking the law!

8

Montana: No "folf" allowed

Image: Oskar Kadaksoo

Montana’s wide-open spaces might seem perfect for throwing a Frisbee, but in Helena, playing Frisbee golf (also known as "folf") outside of designated areas is illegal.

If you get caught, you could face a $500 fine or even six months in jail. Where are all these weird laws coming from, anyway?

9

Indiana: Black cats must wear bells on Friday the 13th

Image: Andreea Popa

Are you superstitious? You’ll love this one. In French Lick Springs, located in Indiana, black cats must wear bells around their necks on Friday the 13th.

This law was introduced in 1939 as a "war measure" to reduce stress among the public. While it’s unlikely anyone enforces this rule today, it’s still an amusing nod to old-school superstitions!

10

Hawaii: No billboards allowed

Image: Dennis Maliepaard

Ever notice that Hawaii’s landscapes are free of massive billboards ? That’s because billboards are banned statewide! The law, dating back to 1927, is part of an effort to preserve the state’s natural beauty.

Hawaii is one of the few places in the US where advertisements don’t compete with breathtaking ocean views. Now, that’s a law we can all enjoy!

1

Oprah Winfrey

Image: Ilyass SEDDOUG

If it wasn't for a professor's advice, we might have never got to meet the incredible Oprah Winfrey!

After graduating with honors from high school, Oprah attended Tennessee State University to study Communication. During her college years, she already participated in several different radio shows. While in one of her classes, she received a call that changed her life: CBS Channel Five offered her a very important job. At first, Oprah said no, as her father always insisted that she complete her studies. Accepting the position would mean putting her education on hold, so it was a difficult choice for her.

Winfrey told the situation to her Scenic Design professor, who immediately encouraged her to take the job. "This is what you study for, to get a call from CBS!" he allegedly said.

2

Bill Gates

Image: Tadas Sar

Bill Gates' work, intelligence, and journey as an entrepreneur to become the famous co-founder of Microsoft are admirable. Maybe that's why many are surprised to learn that Gates dropped out of college.

He began his education at a private school in Seattle, Washington. It's said that he demonstrated high capacities in math and science. During the early years of his education, he came into contact with computers, awakening his passion at a young age.

When he was 18 years old, Gates enrolled at Harvard to pursue a degree in computer science. During his time there, he became interested in programming languages. In particular, he wanted to design one for the Altair 8800, an early personal computer developed by MITS. In 1975, Gates decided to leave Harvard to create BASIC, which later evolved into the well-known Microsoft, co-founded by Gates and Paul Allen.

3

Steve Jobs

Image: Sumudu Mohottige

A similar path to Gates was that of Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc.

Jobs attended elementary and high school in Cupertino, California. In the 1970s, while he was still in high school, he met Steve Wozniak, an engineering student who would join him in creating Apple.

Jobs was said to have a free and rebellious nature. Perhaps it was that spirit that led him to leave Reed College in Portland, Oregon, after the first semester in order to have more time to pursue his true interests: technology and design.

Although he didn't pursue what we know as a formal education, Jobs educated himself in numerous fields in different parts of the world.

4

Mark Zuckerberg

Image: Deeksha Pahariya

Jobs and Gates aren't the only tech geniuses who decided to drop out of college to take another path. Mark Zuckerberg joins this list.

Zuckerberg already stood out during his elementary and high school years for his mathematics and computer science skills. But it was at Harvard University that he really explored his potential.

Mark Zuckerberg enrolled at Harvard in 2002 to study computer science and psychology. There, he developed a number of applications and platforms, but one gained him all the fame. We're talking about Facebook, one of the most famous social networks in the world today. Two years after entering the university, he left to fully dedicate himself to his company, which was growing in success every second.

5

Ellen DeGeneres

Image: Ioann-Mark Kuznietsov

Not all the names on this list belong to the tech world. There are also some other showbiz figures. One of them is Ellen DeGeneres, the unmistakable comedian, actress, and TV host who has won the hearts of many Americans.

Her comedy and acting talents shone during her high school years in Atlanta, Texas. After high school, Ellen enrolled at the University of New Orleans in 1976 to study communications. However, after a couple of months, she dropped out in order to concentrate on her entertainment career. During those years, she did comedy and stand-up shows, gaining fame first locally and then nationally, eventually having her first sitcom, "Ellen," and then her successful daytime talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

6

Steven Spielberg

Image: George Patient

Steven Spielberg is a talented and successful American film director whose name reached the ears of the whole world thanks to such classics as Jaws (1975), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Jurassic Park (1993), and many others.

In 1965, Spielberg enrolled at California State University Long Beach to pursue a career in film production. There, he started to work on many projects, and in 1968, he decided to drop out of college to pursue his passion.

In the 2000s, the famous director returned to college and completed his degree, presenting the iconic Schindler's List !

7

Brad Pitt

Image: César Guadarrama Cantú

The art of acting is truly admirable, and we can say, without a doubt, that the best actors and actresses in the world have a great mix of natural talent and hard work. A perfect example is Brad Pitt, who also has one more ingredient: his spectacular appearance.

After graduating from high school in 1982, Pitt enrolled at the University of Missouri to study Journalism and Advertising. There, he became interested in acting and participated in different creative and theatrical projects.

Two weeks before graduating, Pitt made the decision to quit college and move to California, where he would evolve as an actor into the world-renowned superstar he is today.

8

Larry Page

Image: Greg Bulla

Lansing, Michigan, was the birthplace of Larry Page, the co-founder of one of the world's largest technology companies. But before becoming the CEO of a huge corporation, Page also walked the halls of college, earning several degrees before his dropout.

Page earned a Bachelor of Science with a major in Computer Engineering with honors from the University of Michigan in 1995. He then enrolled at Stanford University, where he earned his Master's degree in 1998.

During his years at Stanford, he met Sergey Brin, with whom he would later co-found none other than Google! The success of their co-creation led Page to not complete his PhD, which he was pursuing during those years.

9

Ashton Kutcher

Image: Nathan Dumlao

When it comes to talented, hard-working, and handsome actors, Brad Pitt isn't the only one. Another one with all those attributes is Ashton Kutcher.

Kutcher is really smart. His hard work and intelligence led him to enroll at the University of Iowa in 1996, where he pursued a degree in biochemical engineering. But his student life was cut short when a talent agency discovered him.

In 1998, he decided to drop out of college to pursue his growing modeling and acting career. A few years ago, the actor famously declared, "I pursued something I was passionate about [...] So, that was the right decision for me."

10

Alicia Keys

Image: Soundtrap

Another artist on this list is none other than Alicia Keys, a major name in the entertainment world.

From a very young age, Alicia was encouraged to pursue her talent and artistic interests. She attended elementary and high schools specialized in arts, where she developed many of her musical talents.

After graduating from high school at 16, Keys was accepted into the Juilliard School in Manhattan, which is proof of her immense talent. However, the singer and songwriter decided to drop out of college a few months after being accepted in order to pursue her dreams as a singer. She signed her first record deal shortly after, and the rest is history!