5. The Riot Act

As a colloquialism, being “read the Riot Act” is based on the actual Riot Act of 1714. The Riot Act, which went into effect in England in 1715, was passed to bring an end to the country’s civil disturbances.

According to the act:

Any persons to the number of twelve or more, being unlawfully, riotously, and tumultuously assembled together, to the disturbance of the public peace… and being required or commanded by any [public official] in the King’s name, in the form herein after directed, to disperse themselves and peaceably to depart to their habitations, or to their lawful business.

Failure to leave after being told to do so could result in forceful action by authorities.

The Riot Act was implemented throughout the expanding British Empire, where the “reading of the Riot Act” was carried out to preempt bad behavior.