8 Pop Culture Legends That Are Actually True (5 of 5)

The Riot Act isn’t just an expression

In everyday conversation, “reading the riot act” refers to giving someone a severe scolding or stern warning to shape up or face serious consequences. But the expression has its roots in an actual English law known as the Riot Act of 1714. The act, which went into effect in 1715 and was implemented throughout the vast British Empire, essentially served as a warning that groups of 12 or more people who assembled for the purposes of carrying out acts of public disturbance would have 60 minutes to disperse or be met with forceful action by the authorities.