It is unlawful to swear loudly on a public street.

The Law

Founded by deeply religious settlers, Rhode Island has a long tradition of trying to legislate public morality and polite behavior. This ordinance was meant to keep the streets family-friendly by ensuring no delicate ears were subjected to foul language. While First Amendment rights make it effectively impossible to enforce today, you should probably still watch your mouth in public. It reflects an era when being rude was literally a crime.