# Custom Licence Plates — Seen in the Wild **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 11, 2023, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965 "2023-11-11T02:25:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 53
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1041 "2025-01-21T22:00:44Z")
Just saw a medium blue Tesla Model 3 with **SP4RKLI** ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1042 "2025-01-22T01:28:58Z")
I found a red Hyundai Sonata with **I13B**. Which once again was hard to read being centered over the Florida logo in the plate center. But it was definitely that. By analogy to > **[Internationalization and localization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internationalization_and_localization)** > > In computing, internationalization and localization (American) or internationalisation and localisation (British), often abbreviated i18n and l10n respectively, are means of adapting to different languages, regional peculiarities and technical requirements of a target locale. > Internationalization is the process of designing a software application so that it can be adapted to various languages and regions without engineering changes. Localization is the process of adapting internationalized soft... I suspect the meaning is a name (or slogan) that starts with “I”, ends with “B” and has 13 omitted letters in the middle. Rather few English words end in “B”, so a name from a part of the world where such names are common seems more likely. Which in turn led me to this interesting wiki article that has some applicability to decoding license plates: > **[Numeronym](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numeronym)** > > A numeronym is a word, usually an abbreviation, composed partially or wholly of numerals. The term can be used to describe several different number-based constructs, but it most commonly refers to a contraction in which all letters between the first and last of a word are replaced with the number of omitted letters (for example, "i18n" for "internationalization"). > According to Anne H. Soukhanov, editor of the Microsoft Encarta College Dictionary, it originally referred to phonewords – words sp A ... ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1043 "2025-01-22T19:42:04Z")
hmmm… even AI throws a curveball: quote: _The word you’re looking for is:_ _INCOMPREHENSIB[LE]_ _This 15-character word starts with “I” and ends with “B” (technically ending with “LE”, which fits the pattern you described)._ _The word “incomprehensible” means:_ _- Impossible to understand or comprehend_ _- Too complex or obscure to be understood_ _- Defying clear explanation_ _Breakdown:_ _- Length: 15 characters ✓_ _- Starts with “I” ✓_ _- Ends with “B” (technically “LE”) ✓_ **==\>\>???** **REMARK (AL128): seems that now we don’t only have to deal with human BS, but also with AI-BS!!!** (reminds me that my last name also ends with “B”, (technically “Z”) … ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1044 "2025-01-22T19:48:43Z")
holy $hit, Batman … now Chat-GPT weighs in: **One example of a 15-character English word that starts with “I” and ends with “B” is “intercontinental”. However, this word has 16 letters, so it doesn’t meet your exact requirements.** . _I am not so much worried about losing my job as I was 15 min ago …_ ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1045 "2025-01-22T19:58:27Z")
As long as your boss is stupid enough to think the AI answer is correct, you’re still doomed. Or more accurately, as long as your boss thinks your incremental cost to get your more-right answer isn’t worth it versus the AI’s less-right answer for free, well, … you’re still doomed. Remember, in an idiocracy it’s not just the worker bees who are stupid. So are all of middle and most of upper management. And most academics and politicians too. Good decisions will happen only by accident. And given that, statistically speaking, for any problem / solution the good choices are rare while the bad choices are legion, that suggests the good decisions that do happen by accident will be _very_ few and far between. On that cheery thought I think I’ll go get wasted. [j/k] ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1046 "2025-01-23T01:07:10Z")
Yet another Subaru… Black Subaru in traffic this morning with **VADER13** plates and a license plate border that said “This is the way”. I don’t know what kind of Subaru it was exactly because it was still pretty dark but the car had a Darth Vader-ish look to it if that makes any sense. I’m starting to think it’s a confirmation bias… I see a Subaru and check for a custom plate. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1047 "2025-01-23T16:50:28Z")
**NVRLOST** Not sure what the meaning is supposed to be. Someone on an incredible win streak? Always know where they are? Could also have a religious meaning: “Once was lost, but now I’m found.” I’m going with they have vowed to not ever watch a certain TV show. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1048 "2025-01-23T17:49:54Z")
It being a sign on a car I’ll take it to suggest the driver thinks he (good bet) has an infallible internal map & compass. 😉 > [@ftg](#): > > I’m going with they have vowed to not ever watch a certain TV show. Our own @solost would be so sad. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1049 "2025-01-23T18:53:14Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > > [@ftg](#): > > > > I’m going with they have vowed to not ever watch a certain TV show. > > Our own @solost would be so sad. Ha! 🤣 No, if that _ **is** _ the meaning for that ‘ **NVRLOST** ’ license plate, I heartily endorse !00%. I have also vowed never to rewatch that bitterly disappointing show, as recently as the recent ‘[Rewatching Lost](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rewatching-lost-after-20-years/1012698/22)’ thread. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1050 "2025-01-25T00:56:10Z")
Today I saw a Porsche 911 Carrera SC. Fairly recent model, say post 2015. Good not great condition. The plate was **911⎵⎵ENG**. Back in the 1970s & 1980s, dropping a 911 engine into a VW Bug or other lesser model of Porsche was a common customization. So having a 911 engine in your, e.g. VW Camper Van was a mark of cool worthy of a custom plate. But I sort of expect a 911 to have a 911 engine in it already. Which leaves me scratching my head about this plate. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1051 "2025-01-25T20:36:54Z")
Today I saw a nearly new Mercedes S560 with a refined & tasteful custom paint job. Expensive car. The license plate was **FINE⎵⎵AU**. Apparently selling jewelry to the fatcat brigade pays fairly well. Or maybe this is just a factcat lady telling us what gifts she prefers. Or … ??? ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1052 "2025-01-25T20:39:33Z")
Or an owner named **Feingold** and their other car already had **Feingold**. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1053 "2025-01-25T20:43:57Z")
At least in this state you can’t have 8 characters. 7 plus an optional space is the max. But good idea; it might simply be their last name encoded. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2025, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1054 "2025-01-27T22:57:32Z")
I saw a Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Snazzy overblown SUV station wagon thingie; flagship of the Jeep brand. Quebec license plate read **GD⎵WAGON**. Not the most original effort. I wonder if it’s legit Quebecois or only works in English? I saw 2 or 3 much more interesting ones but not at a time or place I could commit them to memory. Shame. ---
**Author:** ![icon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c6cbf5/32.png) [@icon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/icon)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2025, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1055 "2025-01-28T00:29:51Z")
I do not know if I will see **JA⎵MATA** \* again, but it could happen. \* ja mata (じゃあまた) is a casual way of saying see you later in Japanese. I wasn’t sure that was what they meant when I first saw it or if was just me recognizing it as such, but the license plate frame had "see you later "written in English which confirmed that it was intentional. `//i\\` ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2025, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1056 "2025-01-28T21:44:52Z")
Driving this morning in Wichita, I saw this one on a Nissan Murano: **INKITALL** Only thing I could figure out was a tattoo artist. ---
**Author:** ![icon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c6cbf5/32.png) [@icon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/icon)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2025, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1057 "2025-01-28T21:47:20Z")
Could be a comic book inker too. I do wonder if the audi I saw with **ZOOM⎵ZM** will get in trouble with Mazda for using their catch phrase. `//i\\` ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2025, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1058 "2025-01-28T21:48:59Z")
> [@icon](#): > > Could be a comic book inker too. I do wonder if the audi I saw with **ZOOM⎵ZM** will get in trouble with Mazda for using their catch phrase. For 5 years I rode a Honda Motorcycle while wearing a Harley jacket. No one ever commented on it, though I suspect it was rarely, if ever, even noticed. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2025, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1059 "2025-01-28T23:43:17Z")
> [@icon](#): > > I do wonder if the audi I saw with **ZOOM⎵ZM** will get in trouble with Mazda for using their catch phrase. It’s possible that the owner had previously had that plate on a Mazda. 🙂 I once saw a Volvo, with the personalized plate **VOLVO**. OK, it works, but really obvious, and becomes stupid if you ever get a different brand of car. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2025, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/1060 "2025-01-29T09:20:10Z")
**TZLAPLD** is an example of a missing half space that would’ve been useful to have. [![](https://i.imgur.com/Lb4v8UN.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/Lb4v8UN.jpeg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/yPm4s7S.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/yPm4s7S.jpeg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/N8NNCp3.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/N8NNCp3.jpeg) **TZLA PLD** would’ve been better but the DMV form that’s online does not allow for that half space. The owner would’ve had to go into a DMV office to submit **TZLA/PLD** and get that space. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965.md?page=52) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965.md?page=54)