Meaning
What does Stop, You’ve Violated the Law mean?
Stop, you’ve violated the law, is one of the many iconic quotes from the video game, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, said by the guards.
Online, this phrase, along with others like “Then pay with your blood” or “Stop right there, criminal scum” are used as warnings about the misconduct of a user.
Origin
What's the origin of Stop, You’ve Violated the Law?
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was released on March 30th, 2006 in the US.
In the game, should the player break the law, they are approached by a guard, saying various lines, like “stop, you’ve violated the law”.
Spread & Usage
How did Stop, You’ve Violated the Law spread?
Starting in 2007, YouTube remixes of the guards’ phrases became popular, along with songs and montages of in-game content.
“Stop, You’ve violated the law” was fist defined on Urban Dictionary in 2010.
Following 2015, the format would be seen on image macros, appearing on sites like Reddit, Tumblr, as well as Twitter.
External resources
- The Gamer – Someone Remade Billie Eilish’s Therefore I Am With Oblivion Guard Dialogue
- Urban Dictionary – Stop! You have violated the law!