It is not quite literal that you can't say "Fire" etc http://civil-liberties.yoexpert.com/civil-liberties-general/is-it-legal-to-shout-%22fire%22-in-a-crowded-

It is not quite literal that you can't say "Fire" etc http://civil-liberties.yoexpert.com/civil-liberties-general/is-it-legal-to-shout-%22fire%22-in-a-crowded-theater-19421.html http://civil-liberties.yoexpert.com/civil-liberties-general/... There are however issues that are not related to just speech. There are property rights issues for the owner of the establishment if you create panic, which results in damages to people or property. For example there is likely no literal law against the following; however, you would likely be at similar fault if you walked into a crowded theatre with a live hornets nest. It is not so much what you say, but the damage which results you would be responsible for.