It has no meaning I just want to get it because I like it that’s it
March 30, 2019 3:44 PM Subscribe
As one of the most diverse states in the Union, California contains an expansive lexicon of offensive, lewd, and inappropriate words and cultural references. (Californians speak at least 220 languages—that’s 220 different ways to say “poop.”) But armed with Google Translate, Wikipedia, and Urban Dictionary, the DMV’s sentries gamely manage to weed out [license plate] profanity in multiple languages, coded Nazi symbolism, and obscure internet acronyms.
I’m honestly surprised they approved S8TAN, and rejected TUNAFSH.
posted by Thorzdad at 4:18 PM on March 30, 2019 [15 favorites]
posted by Thorzdad at 4:18 PM on March 30, 2019 [15 favorites]
Family lore is that my cousin got a THC4ME plate by claiming THC was his girlfriend's initials. (It was not.)
posted by misskaz at 4:24 PM on March 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by misskaz at 4:24 PM on March 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
In the late 90s, a friend of mine got XWING -- I couldn't believe it was available....
posted by tclark at 4:28 PM on March 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by tclark at 4:28 PM on March 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
The TUNAFSH ban seems very unjust. As far as I can see, the DMV's investigation confirmed it was perfectly innocent.
[On a somewhat related topic, I once heard a British racehorse owner had tried to register one of his nags as "Norfolk & Chance" with the sport's governing body. Realising that "No fuckin' chance" was what he really had in mind for this sorry animal's prospects, they refused to accept the name.]
posted by Paul Slade at 4:28 PM on March 30, 2019 [8 favorites]
[On a somewhat related topic, I once heard a British racehorse owner had tried to register one of his nags as "Norfolk & Chance" with the sport's governing body. Realising that "No fuckin' chance" was what he really had in mind for this sorry animal's prospects, they refused to accept the name.]
posted by Paul Slade at 4:28 PM on March 30, 2019 [8 favorites]
My dream vanity plate: "HIchop!"
Letterman always sounds better in the original Klingon.
posted by zaixfeep at 4:30 PM on March 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
Letterman always sounds better in the original Klingon.
posted by zaixfeep at 4:30 PM on March 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
The TUNAFSH ban seems very unjust.
Indeed! Also FSHBALL. Fish balls are a delicious street food in many Asian cultures, including many that are well-represented in California. Hard to pigeonhole that as "some kind of sexual."
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 4:40 PM on March 30, 2019 [4 favorites]
Indeed! Also FSHBALL. Fish balls are a delicious street food in many Asian cultures, including many that are well-represented in California. Hard to pigeonhole that as "some kind of sexual."
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 4:40 PM on March 30, 2019 [4 favorites]
Somewhat related: last week, a windowless white E-350 cargo van drove past me as I was walking to work. Its license plate read VANARKY, no doubt taking advantage of the 7th character they added a few years back. Good on you, unknown New Hampshire commercial van owner. Good on you.
posted by Mayor West at 4:41 PM on March 30, 2019 [11 favorites]
posted by Mayor West at 4:41 PM on March 30, 2019 [11 favorites]
Look - when can I get a poop emoji plate, that's what i want to know.
posted by symbioid at 4:44 PM on March 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by symbioid at 4:44 PM on March 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
Johnny Poopflower has reserved them in every state they are available. Sorry (not sorry, but sad).
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:52 PM on March 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:52 PM on March 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
I have seen with my own eyes the following plate in the great state of Georgia, circa 2009: WANKERS
Could not get my phone out in time to capture it.
I have seen with my own eyes in 2018 the following plate in the great state of Virginia, and I did get a photo: HV 2 POO
Clearly California is just too uptight, or else has too much time and money to spend vetting vanity plates.
posted by Hal Mumkin at 4:54 PM on March 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
Could not get my phone out in time to capture it.
I have seen with my own eyes in 2018 the following plate in the great state of Virginia, and I did get a photo: HV 2 POO
Clearly California is just too uptight, or else has too much time and money to spend vetting vanity plates.
posted by Hal Mumkin at 4:54 PM on March 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
The Schlafer one seemed kind of silly? If someone was actually a sleeper agent they are unlikely to be advertising it on their plates, and it is unlikely than anyone who reads German would be offended by the word itself. Banning bae seems marginal but at least it's an actual offensive word in some language, Schlafer is a common last name.
posted by tavella at 4:59 PM on March 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by tavella at 4:59 PM on March 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
Some wag/enthusiast got BDSM past Driver and Vehicle Services in Minnesota.
posted by clavicle at 5:34 PM on March 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by clavicle at 5:34 PM on March 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
I saw UPGRYDD on a porsche in SF a few years ago.
posted by ryanrs at 5:43 PM on March 30, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by ryanrs at 5:43 PM on March 30, 2019 [6 favorites]
The amount of custom plates you see in LA is truly remarkable. My girlfriend has a collection of over 600 photos of interesting ones and she recently created an instagram for posting them so the number is climbing quickly. They are common enough that her standards are really high and she can afford to be discerning, still gathering one or two just about every day.
The one that amazes me the most is ANUSTART from Arrested Development. She has pictures of the CA version and one from another state. I'd love to know how that got through.
posted by feloniousmonk at 5:50 PM on March 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
The one that amazes me the most is ANUSTART from Arrested Development. She has pictures of the CA version and one from another state. I'd love to know how that got through.
posted by feloniousmonk at 5:50 PM on March 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
In the eternal gridlock of northern Virginia lived this gem:
DCUNTD
Only inoffensive to American professional soccer fans. Both of them.
posted by abulafa at 5:51 PM on March 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
DCUNTD
Only inoffensive to American professional soccer fans. Both of them.
posted by abulafa at 5:51 PM on March 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
I saw "IIIPCTR" in Monterey a few weeks ago. Not sure how that one got through.
posted by J.K. Seazer at 5:58 PM on March 30, 2019
posted by J.K. Seazer at 5:58 PM on March 30, 2019
Everything is offensive if you look hard enough.
posted by zengargoyle at 6:34 PM on March 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by zengargoyle at 6:34 PM on March 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
Applicant Explanation: On my way to bang your bitchSometimes these custom plates can be hard to decode. It was very helpful of them to give the explanation, seems like the DMV really appreciated it.
DMV Comments: What he said
Verdict: No
posted by traveler_ at 6:53 PM on March 30, 2019 [18 favorites]
The objections to the "TUNAFSH", "FSHBALL" and the text penis ones seem a bit far-fetched to me. Even assuming that "fish" can be used that way in slang, I for one am not offended when I see references to tunafish, fishballs, fishcakes, etc.
posted by Joe in Australia at 8:33 PM on March 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Joe in Australia at 8:33 PM on March 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
I sent this link to a friend yesterday and we shared some laughs over it. I feel kind of bad for the poor fisherman's TUNAFSH plate getting rejected. They confirmed he's a fisherman! He's just proud of his tuna, probably!
My favorite custom plate I've seen in and around LA was UMADBRO on a flashy sports car that was, entirely unsurprisingly, speeding on the freeway.
posted by yasaman at 8:38 PM on March 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
My favorite custom plate I've seen in and around LA was UMADBRO on a flashy sports car that was, entirely unsurprisingly, speeding on the freeway.
posted by yasaman at 8:38 PM on March 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
Some question as to whether these policies would survive a challenge post-Matal v. Tam.
posted by praemunire at 8:46 PM on March 30, 2019
posted by praemunire at 8:46 PM on March 30, 2019
The one that amazes me the most is ANUSTART from Arrested Development. She has pictures of the CA version and one from another state. I'd love to know how that got through.
I have spotted HASADGA and was absolutely delighted that got through. Damn, I wish I could have gotten that.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:00 PM on March 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
I have spotted HASADGA and was absolutely delighted that got through. Damn, I wish I could have gotten that.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:00 PM on March 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
When I lived in VA and vanity plates were twenty bucks, I had ODDBALL.
My Mom always used to tell a story about some mean kids she'd seen when she was young and how they'd made an impression on her. They spent a whole meal in a restaurant singling out various things about each other that were unusual and then sing-song chanting "You are an oddball!" at the kid who wasn't like the others.
My mom's story, in turn, made an impression on me. And I am a big fuckin' weirdo.
Apparently I'd have gotten nixed by the California DMV's hatred of all balls.
posted by Scattercat at 9:32 PM on March 30, 2019
My Mom always used to tell a story about some mean kids she'd seen when she was young and how they'd made an impression on her. They spent a whole meal in a restaurant singling out various things about each other that were unusual and then sing-song chanting "You are an oddball!" at the kid who wasn't like the others.
My mom's story, in turn, made an impression on me. And I am a big fuckin' weirdo.
Apparently I'd have gotten nixed by the California DMV's hatred of all balls.
posted by Scattercat at 9:32 PM on March 30, 2019
Applicant Explanation: I have a white cat named “Moby.” I want to name my white car after her.
DMV Comments: Moby dick… Moby cat… Vagina?
This is some puzzle hunt material right here.
One misunderstanding I'm always worried about is 88, as in the company representing a bunch of asian / asian-american rappers, 88 Rising. Apparently 88 = HH = heil hitler, and in that light, '88 rising' seems quite bad. But it's also like, the number of keys on a piano and a lucky number in Chinese...?
posted by batter_my_heart at 9:36 PM on March 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
DMV Comments: Moby dick… Moby cat… Vagina?
This is some puzzle hunt material right here.
One misunderstanding I'm always worried about is 88, as in the company representing a bunch of asian / asian-american rappers, 88 Rising. Apparently 88 = HH = heil hitler, and in that light, '88 rising' seems quite bad. But it's also like, the number of keys on a piano and a lucky number in Chinese...?
posted by batter_my_heart at 9:36 PM on March 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
Some question as to whether these policies would survive a challenge post-Matal v. Tam.
See Walker v. Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans; surprising that Texas of all places would be the defendant there, let alone take it all the way to the Supreme Court.
posted by TedW at 10:18 PM on March 30, 2019
See Walker v. Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans; surprising that Texas of all places would be the defendant there, let alone take it all the way to the Supreme Court.
posted by TedW at 10:18 PM on March 30, 2019
Spotted on a pretty ordinary-looking Volkswagen here in Sweden: the regulation-issued combination GUN-666.
posted by St. Oops at 10:47 PM on March 30, 2019
posted by St. Oops at 10:47 PM on March 30, 2019
I recently saw a California plate that said THIS TOO. Thought that was pretty clever.
posted by aws17576 at 10:48 PM on March 30, 2019 [13 favorites]
posted by aws17576 at 10:48 PM on March 30, 2019 [13 favorites]
My plate is TATERPI and I had to duel with the state of Washington to get it. Because there's an entry on Urban Dictionary for 'moo taterpie' which, just go look it up. That entry has like a thousand views, and anyone can submit anything to UD, but that was enough to make them want to reject me.
I spent 20 minutes arguing on the phone with a supervisor, asking how we can have 'Cougar' plates all over the state if we're going to let 11 yr old boys dictate what's naughty? Finally he gave up.
Sure enough about 2 months after I got it a lady came up and interrogated me about what it means. (it has to do with my last name) I am positive she's one of those folks who sits in her car, bored, and whips out her phone to cross reference every vanity plate she sees, and file complaints.
posted by taterpie at 2:12 AM on March 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
I spent 20 minutes arguing on the phone with a supervisor, asking how we can have 'Cougar' plates all over the state if we're going to let 11 yr old boys dictate what's naughty? Finally he gave up.
Sure enough about 2 months after I got it a lady came up and interrogated me about what it means. (it has to do with my last name) I am positive she's one of those folks who sits in her car, bored, and whips out her phone to cross reference every vanity plate she sees, and file complaints.
posted by taterpie at 2:12 AM on March 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
In Berkeley in the late 80s I often saw the Colorado places NUKELA on a sports car .... probably not available in CA
posted by mbo at 4:09 AM on March 31, 2019
posted by mbo at 4:09 AM on March 31, 2019
My favorite was on a Saab - just said SLAAB.
posted by parki at 5:06 AM on March 31, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by parki at 5:06 AM on March 31, 2019 [8 favorites]
One of the last custom plates I saw on my way out of California was TU KUL. The driver was wearing sunglasses. The circumstances of my departure from CA mean that I will forever think fondly of TU KUL.
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 8:22 AM on March 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 8:22 AM on March 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
I choose to believe that he's driving around telling everyone that he's their ass.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 8:47 AM on March 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 8:47 AM on March 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
When I applied for my plate, I noted that one of the rules was "No epithets!"
So I applied for "Epithet" and of course, I got it.
I doubt most people who see it even know the word or how it is ironic....
posted by CrowGoat at 10:30 AM on March 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
So I applied for "Epithet" and of course, I got it.
I doubt most people who see it even know the word or how it is ironic....
posted by CrowGoat at 10:30 AM on March 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
MetaFilter: Verdict: No
posted by ricochet biscuit at 11:14 AM on March 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by ricochet biscuit at 11:14 AM on March 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
One misunderstanding I'm always worried about is 88, as in the company representing a bunch of asian / asian-american rappers, 88 Rising. Apparently 88 = HH = heil hitler, and in that light, '88 rising' seems quite bad. But it's also like, the number of keys on a piano and a lucky number in Chinese...?
I saw '♡BTC88' once and my thoughts, being as saturated with Internet as they are, immediately went to "Love Bitcoin, Heil Hitler!" Then I saw that it was a middle-aged Asian woman driving and I thought - okay, maybe not.
(sorry, Brian T. Chen, you are loved)
posted by atoxyl at 12:33 PM on March 31, 2019 [2 favorites]
I saw '♡BTC88' once and my thoughts, being as saturated with Internet as they are, immediately went to "Love Bitcoin, Heil Hitler!" Then I saw that it was a middle-aged Asian woman driving and I thought - okay, maybe not.
(sorry, Brian T. Chen, you are loved)
posted by atoxyl at 12:33 PM on March 31, 2019 [2 favorites]
....OK, I legit don't get the California "THIS TOO" plate.
posted by Rev. Syung Myung Me at 2:48 PM on March 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Rev. Syung Myung Me at 2:48 PM on March 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
Some wag/enthusiast got BDSM past Driver and Vehicle Services in Minnesota.
So, funny thing... In Ontario, starting in 1997 we had enough cars on the road that new license plates started being issued with seven characters instead of six, in AAAA-### format. Some years back the Ministry of Transportation reached BDSM-### and they Did Not Flinch.
Suddenly I was seeing BDSM plates everywhere. I'm pretty sure the Ministry must issue plates to Service Ontario locales in sequential blocks, because my city has certainly been... blessed. In fact, if you Google Image Search BDSM license plate the top two results are a car parked by the local University [BDSM-101] (much to everyone's amusement), and a plate on car purchased from a Kingston car dealership [BDSM-193].
posted by Secret Sparrow at 2:49 PM on March 31, 2019 [6 favorites]
So, funny thing... In Ontario, starting in 1997 we had enough cars on the road that new license plates started being issued with seven characters instead of six, in AAAA-### format. Some years back the Ministry of Transportation reached BDSM-### and they Did Not Flinch.
Suddenly I was seeing BDSM plates everywhere. I'm pretty sure the Ministry must issue plates to Service Ontario locales in sequential blocks, because my city has certainly been... blessed. In fact, if you Google Image Search BDSM license plate the top two results are a car parked by the local University [BDSM-101] (much to everyone's amusement), and a plate on car purchased from a Kingston car dealership [BDSM-193].
posted by Secret Sparrow at 2:49 PM on March 31, 2019 [6 favorites]
....OK, I legit don't get the California "THIS TOO" plate.
The proverb says "This too shall pass".
posted by sourcejedi at 3:11 PM on March 31, 2019 [6 favorites]
The proverb says "This too shall pass".
posted by sourcejedi at 3:11 PM on March 31, 2019 [6 favorites]
Also, all MIT alumni / alumnae request that you do not inform any state's DMV what IHTFP stands for. I have seen MA and CA versions in the wild...
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 7:13 PM on March 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 7:13 PM on March 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
AH! Thanks, sourcejedi! That is indeed amusing now that I get the joke...8)
posted by Rev. Syung Myung Me at 8:45 PM on March 31, 2019
posted by Rev. Syung Myung Me at 8:45 PM on March 31, 2019
My favorite was on a Saab - just said SLAAB.
To this I will add my favorite, also on a Saab: SNAAB.
posted by cats are weird at 5:29 AM on April 1, 2019 [3 favorites]
To this I will add my favorite, also on a Saab: SNAAB.
posted by cats are weird at 5:29 AM on April 1, 2019 [3 favorites]
My favorite, seen on a...car: CAAAAAR
posted by little cow make small moo at 6:13 AM on April 1, 2019
posted by little cow make small moo at 6:13 AM on April 1, 2019
In my highschool years, there was an imported car with a European plate that hung around a coffee shop I frequented. Although I don't remember the exact lettering, his plate read to say "misogynist". I wanted to egg that care so bad, but it was obviously very expensive and I knew i'd never win that fight.
posted by FirstMateKate at 7:29 AM on April 1, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by FirstMateKate at 7:29 AM on April 1, 2019 [2 favorites]
I know I should never read the comments, but the comments on that article are a hilarious crop of people who think this is jackbooted tyranny at its most outrageous. We won't be a truly free society until you can get a vanity license plate about pubic hair.
posted by zeusianfog at 11:26 AM on April 1, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by zeusianfog at 11:26 AM on April 1, 2019 [2 favorites]
My favorite CA vanity plate is I<3UTERI
I’m sure it is supposed to be I love you Teri but in my mind it will always be I love Uteri.
posted by amapolaroja at 11:24 PM on April 1, 2019 [4 favorites]
I’m sure it is supposed to be I love you Teri but in my mind it will always be I love Uteri.
posted by amapolaroja at 11:24 PM on April 1, 2019 [4 favorites]
Maybe "I have fewer than three uteri"? Which will be true for almost all of us.
posted by Joe in Australia at 12:27 AM on April 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Joe in Australia at 12:27 AM on April 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
California has a few symbols they allow on plates, a heart is one of them.
posted by amapolaroja at 11:13 PM on April 2, 2019
posted by amapolaroja at 11:13 PM on April 2, 2019
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posted by GenjiandProust at 3:52 PM on March 30, 2019 [7 favorites]