10 Strange Social Taboos from History You Won’t Believe

The world is full of things people dislike—whether it’s a certain food, a belief system, a piece of art, or even cold, hard facts. If something exists, chances are someone hates it. And when enough people rally behind that dislike, it can transform into something much bigger: a cultural taboo.

Throughout history, societies have developed taboos to discourage behaviors considered harmful or disturbing—cannibalism, for instance, is one most of us can agree on. But not all taboos make that much sense. Some are baffling, bizarre, or even seem harmless to outsiders.

From the logical to the downright puzzling, here’s a look at some of the most curious taboos humanity has come up with.

10. Bananas Were Once Considered Immoral

There’s a better-than-zero chance you’ve seen someone pick up a banana and crack a joke about its shape. Juvenile? Sure. Predictable? Definitely. But let’s be honest—it’s one of the oldest and most reliable gags in the fruit world.

What most people don’t realize is that, once upon a time, people actually took that innuendo seriously. Bananas weren’t just a punchline—they were considered downright immoral.

Blame colonialism for this weird bit of history. When Europeans first encountered bananas in the 1800s, they didn’t just marvel at the taste—they became deeply concerned with the banana’s scandalous shape. There were even guides explaining how to eat one discreetly, so as not to offend the delicate sensibilities of British society. Heaven forbid someone be seen nibbling the tip.

This wasn’t a joke to them—it was a full-on etiquette issue. And let’s be clear: the modern world didn’t invent suggestive banana humor. Silent films of the 1920s were already using bananas as explicit visual metaphors. Polite society knew exactly what was going on with this fruit, and they weren’t having any of it.

9. The Taboo of Green Hats in China

Taboos are often deeply rooted in culture, and their meanings can be so specific that they don’t always translate well beyond certain borders. Take green hats, for example. In Western cultures, particularly on St. Patrick’s Day, you’d be hard-pressed to find a bar anywhere in the Western Hemisphere that isn’t filled with people proudly wearing green hats, embracing their Irish heritage – whether they actually have any Irish roots or not. It’s a fun, festive tradition that brings people together.

But head east, and the story changes completely. In China, wearing a green hat is a big no-no. According to Chinese superstition, a green hat is a symbol of being cheated on. It’s not something you’d want to be associated with if you value your reputation.

Here’s where it gets interesting. In Chinese, a man whose wife cheats on him is called “dai lu mao.” If you translate this into English, you get the word “cuckold,” which makes sense in the context. But when you look at the literal translation of the Chinese characters, it means “wearing a green hat.” So, there’s a direct connection between the term and the superstition.

This taboo is so strong that it has even made its way into certain forms of public shaming. There are stories of people who have committed traffic violations being made to wear green hats in public as a form of punishment. The idea is to shame them into not repeating their offenses.

The origins of this strange superstition can be traced back to the Yuan dynasty. It’s said that during this time, the relatives of prostitutes were forced to wear green hats. Whether this story is entirely true or not, it’s clear that the association between green hats and infidelity has been around for a long time.

And that’s why, to this day, green hats are not exactly in fashion in China. It’s a fascinating example of how cultural taboos can shape traditions and perceptions in unexpected ways.

8. Men’s Shorts Were Once Considered Offensive in America

Ever seen a guy in shorts that were just a little too short and thought, “Hmm… this doesn’t feel right?” You’re not alone—and, weirdly enough, America used to feel the same way.

At one point in history, men wearing shorts in public wasn’t just frowned upon—it was actually considered scandalous. In many parts of the country, shorts were seen as improper, immodest, and downright offensive.

Even today, some workplaces and schools take a hard line on shorts. But back in the early-to-mid 20th century, things were much stricter. In 1938, the town of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, actually banned shorts entirely, stating that the town was “not a bathing beach.” And in 1959, a town in New York went even further, banning anyone over the age of 16 from wearing them. The punishment? Up to 25 days in jail.

At the time, shorts were seen as something only children could get away with—grown men were expected to dress like, well, grown men. To wear shorts as an adult was to look ridiculous, or worse, inappropriate.

7. The Mysterious Scottish Aversion to Pork

If you’re not from the UK, Scottish cuisine might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Most people are familiar with haggis, but what else is there? If you were to search online to see what the good folks in the Highlands typically enjoy eating, you’d notice something interesting – there’s a notable lack of pork on the menu. Now, that’s not to say pork doesn’t exist in Scotland; it’s just not as commonly consumed as other meats. This phenomenon can be traced back to a historical aversion to pork, the roots of which are somewhat elusive within Scottish culture.

The Scots’ reluctance to eat pork has a long and storied history. In 1920, it was suggested that this anti-pork sentiment might date all the way back to pre-Roman times. While the rest of Europe was happily indulging in pork chops and other pork-based delicacies, the Scots were trying to steer clear of it. Books from the 1800s make reference to this aversion, and it’s known that James VI of Scotland, who reigned in the 1500s, had a strong dislike for pork.

Superstition seems to play a significant role in this taboo. Pigs aren’t native to Scotland, so they were quite rare when they did appear. There are accounts of people seeing pigs for the first time and mistaking them for demons due to their unfamiliarity. Others believed that pigs were carriers of diseases such as cancer and leprosy, which further fueled the negative perception.

Despite numerous theories attempting to explain this strange aversion, the truth is that no one really knows for sure why pork isn’t a traditional part of Scottish cuisine. It’s a mystery that adds to the unique charm and intrigue of Scottish culture.

6. The First Man to Use an Umbrella in England was Shamed

New inventions often get a rough start. Some are mocked and never recover (looking at you, Segway), while others eventually win people over. Case in point: the humble umbrella.

When Jonas Hanway became the first man to walk the rainy streets of England with an umbrella, he was mocked relentlessly. People didn’t just think he looked odd—they thought he looked unmanly. Back then, umbrellas were seen as frivolous, effeminate accessories, fit only for women or, worse in their eyes, Frenchmen.

Yes, in 18th-century England, being mistaken for a Frenchman was about as bad as it got. Umbrellas were considered a soft, ridiculous indulgence, and Hanway’s decision to carry one around earned him jeers and ridicule.

But as it turns out, not wanting to get soaked to the bone eventually trumped outdated gender norms, and umbrellas became, well, totally normal. All thanks to one soggy trailblazer.

5. The Taboo of Naming Bears in Early Cultures

Bears are truly formidable creatures. Most of us may not encounter them in our daily lives, but if we were to come face-to-face with one, fear would be a natural reaction. After all, in their natural habitats, bears are often apex predators. In a direct confrontation, a human stands little chance against a bear’s strength and ferocity.

It’s so intimidating that many early cultures developed a taboo against naming bears directly. You might be thinking, “But we have the word ‘bear’ now, so what’s the big deal?” Well, it seems that the word “bear” we use today was actually a way to refer to the animal without using its real name, much like how “Voldemort” in the Harry Potter series is a name avoided due to the fear associated with the character.

The English word “bear,” the Dutch “beer,” the German “baer,” the Swedish “bjorn,” and many other words for bear all trace their origins back to the same proto-Indo-European root – “*bher,” which means brown. So, these words essentially meant “brown one.” This was the term people used to refer to bears instead of using their true name, another proto-Indo-European word “*rkto.” The asterisks before these words indicate that linguists are making educated guesses about their origins, as the exact meanings and usage in ancient times are not entirely certain.

One hypothesis is that in early cultures where bears were prevalent, the taboo against using their real name arose because of the sheer terror they inspired. It was considered more prudent to talk about them in an indirect manner, such as referring to them as the “brown one,” rather than naming them directly. This indirect reference might have been a way to avoid invoking the bear’s power or presence in a way that could potentially bring bad luck or danger.

The study of these ancient taboos and naming conventions gives us a fascinating glimpse into the relationship between early humans and the natural world around them. It shows how fear and respect for powerful animals like bears influenced language and cultural practices.

4. Many Marines Consider Apricots Taboo

Marines are some of the toughest and most disciplined soldiers on the planet. But even they aren’t immune to a little superstition—and for reasons lost to logic and reason, apricots are a hard no for many of them.

The roots of the taboo go back to World War II, when Marines noticed a strange pattern: tanks that broke down in the field always seemed to have apricots on board. Since apricots were part of standard rations, that connection wasn’t exactly shocking—but superstition doesn’t need logic. As breakdowns piled up, so did the fear, and apricots became the scapegoat.

By the time of the Vietnam War, the myth had grown. Eating apricots wasn’t just bad luck—it was seen as a surefire way to invite enemy artillery fire. Whether coincidence or just classic military folklore, the fear stuck.

To this day, some Marines won’t even allow apricots near their gear, and many who served still won’t touch them years after leaving the military. Call it silly if you want, but when lives are on the line, no one’s taking chances on dried fruit.

3. The Taboo of Kissing in Public: A Historical and Cultural Perspective

If you’re not a fan of public displays of affection (PDA), you’re in good company throughout history. Kissing in public has been considered taboo at various times and in many places, and in some areas, it still is today.

Historically, public kissing had certain norms and limitations. It was often restricted to men. For example, a subject might kiss the hand of his lord as a sign of respect and submission. There were also platonic kisses used as greetings, a practice that can still be observed in some parts of Europe. However, unmarried women were typically excluded from these kissing customs. Even married women had very limited opportunities for public kissing, with the wedding day kiss being perhaps the only socially acceptable public display of affection in many cases.

In Asian cultures, the stance on public kissing has been more conservative. In countries like China and Japan, public kissing was long regarded as a taboo. It’s only in recent years that attitudes have started to shift, and it’s becoming more gradually accepted, though it may still make some people uncomfortable. In India and Thailand, there is still a general tendency to avoid public affection. These cultural norms reflect the values and beliefs of these societies, where modesty and restraint in public behavior are highly valued.

The evolution of attitudes towards public kissing shows how cultural norms can change over time, but also how deeply ingrained certain taboos can be.

2. Christmas Was Once Taboo in New England

Every December, you’ll hear talk of a “War on Christmas,” but the idea that people are trying to cancel the holiday is nothing new. In fact, back in the 1600s, New England actually did ban Christmas—and they meant it.

The Puritans who settled in the Massachusetts Bay Colony weren’t big fans of festive cheer. They saw Christmas as a pagan-tinged, overly indulgent celebration that had no place in proper Christian life. Between 1659 and 1681, celebrating Christmas was illegal, and anyone caught doing so could be fined. No decorations, no carols, and definitely no figgy pudding.

Even after the official ban ended, the holiday remained frowned upon in much of New England for decades. Schools and businesses stayed open, and celebrating was seen as a sign of poor moral judgment.

It wasn’t until 1870 that Christmas was finally declared a federal holiday, making it socially and legally acceptable across the country. So if you’re worried about people disrespecting Christmas these days, just remember—it’s come a long way from being outright taboo.

1. The Fascinating Concept of the “Euphemism Treadmill”​

Language is a constantly evolving entity, and one interesting aspect of its evolution is the presence of language taboos. These taboos are prevalent in our modern world, and they can take on various forms. Some words are so charged with taboo that we’re almost reluctant to utter them, even when we’re simply discussing them. If you’re not entirely sure what this means, just let your imagination run wild for a moment.

Another interesting phenomenon related to language taboos is the way certain words fall out of common usage over time. People’s sensibilities change, and what was once considered an acceptable term can suddenly be deemed offensive. Take the word “elderly,” for example. Just a decade ago, it was a commonly used and generally unobjectionable term. However, nowadays, it’s considered offensive by many, and alternatives like “older adult” are preferred as they’re seen as less offensive.

This recurring pattern of replacing words that have become taboo led to the coining of the term “euphemism treadmill.” It perfectly describes the cycle we seem to be stuck in. We identify a word as taboo, replace it with a new, seemingly more polite term, and then, before long, that new term also accrues some negative connotations or becomes intolerable in some way, prompting us to come up with yet another alternative.

A classic example of this is the evolution of terms related to people with disabilities. The word “cripple” was once commonly used, but as society became more sensitive to the feelings of those with disabilities, it was replaced by “handicapped.” However, over time, “handicapped” also began to carry some negative baggage, so “disabled” became the new, more acceptable term. And now, “person with a disability” is often preferred as it puts the emphasis on the individual rather than the disability itself.

All these words start out as the so-called “polite new term,” but as the emotional charge associated with them changes or the way people use them becomes unacceptable, a new term is needed to fill the void. It’s a continuous cycle that reflects the ever-changing nature of our society and our values.