# Guess the meaning of this vanity plate **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 20, 2015, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224 "2015-10-20T11:54:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/1 "2015-10-20T11:54:37Z")
R88888P What do you think? I do not know what the owner had in mind so there is no answer at the back of the book. But after I collect your opinions I’ll explain why I’m asking. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/2 "2015-10-20T11:57:58Z")
Rape (drawn out yell) Maybe Rap, same deal ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/3 "2015-10-20T12:20:00Z")
“Rape” was my first thought. Of course, that leaves out the “t” in “eight.” No idea what other interpretation there might be. In California, at least, you could be required to provide an explanation to the DMV for the meaning of any personalized plate you were requesting. I’d be curious to know what the owner’s explanation would be, and if it would be good enough to pass muster. ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/4 "2015-10-20T12:27:54Z")
8 is a lucky number in Chinese. My guess would be an Asian person where the initials mean something - their initials, one of theirs and one of their wives, something like that. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/5 "2015-10-20T12:56:19Z")
This Washington Post [article](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/does-this-personalized-virginia-license-plate-say-what-i-think-it-says/2015/10/19/05abe18a-7667-11e5-b9c1-f03c48c96ac2_story.html) has no answer either, but it didn’t stop the journalist’s wife from reporting it to the VA DMV. I think one has to take great liberty to pronounce that as “rape” or “raaaaape”. How is it presumed “t” at the end of each eight should be ignored/silent? Much ado about nothing, methinks. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/6 "2015-10-20T13:05:58Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > R88888P > > I do not know what the owner had in mind so there is no answer . aww…at least give us a little more info: What kind of vehicle? Sports car? Pimpmobile? Family sedan? Pickup truck? What kind of driver? (ie. male/female/ style of dress) big athletic redneck/short guy with glasses in a suit and tie/gang member/priest?) I’m gonna get creative, and guess that the figure eights are intended to be graphical…maybe coiled rope? So the vehicle belongs to a professional rock climber. (hey, I said it was creative 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/7 "2015-10-20T13:09:29Z")
Much ado about nothing indeed. The women quoted in the article are ninnies. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/8 "2015-10-20T14:14:01Z")
Is the owner pissed off re how much insurance s/he is paying? RATES (stuck out tongue) ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/9 "2015-10-20T14:53:38Z")
Two and one half neo nazis, with the RS standing the family initals? Fans of NASCAR driers [Dale Jarrett](http://www.posters.ws/images/409541/dale_jarrett_car_in_action_side_view.jpg), [Dale Earnhardt Jr](http://jims_diecast.tripod.com/jr_amp.jpg), and [Dick Trickle](http://s90.photobucket.com/user/signofbarsoom/media/NASCAR/trickle2.jpg.html)? ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/10 "2015-10-20T15:49:15Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > This Washington Post [article](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/does-this-personalized-virginia-license-plate-say-what-i-think-it-says/2015/10/19/05abe18a-7667-11e5-b9c1-f03c48c96ac2_story.html) has no answer either, but it didn’t stop the journalist’s wife from reporting it to the VA DMV. I think one has to take great liberty to pronounce that as “rape” or “raaaaape”. How is it presumed “t” at the end of each eight should be ignored/silent? > > Much ado about nothing, methinks. You spoiled the ending. I posted this because of the article. I could not see how anyone thinks that 88888 should be pronounced as “a-a-a-a-a”. I didn’t see the car and nothing about it is described in the article. I think some people who are looking to be offended will find it wherever they go. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/11 "2015-10-20T15:50:56Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Is the owner pissed off re how much insurance s/he is paying? > > RATES (stuck out tongue) That’s a pretty creative interpretation. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/12 "2015-10-20T16:06:22Z")
Yeah, before I read the linked articles, I was trying stuff like “Rates P” but got nothing. would not have thought of rape. Will be interested to hear what it is meant to be. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/13 "2015-10-20T16:26:38Z")
How can anyone conjure ‘rape’ out of that? ‘8’ =\> ‘B’ as any fule kno. For ‘A’ you want ‘4’. I’m with **CookingWithGas** here. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/14 "2015-10-20T16:40:49Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Yeah, before I read the linked articles, I was trying stuff like “Rates P” That’s the first thing that came to my mind. Maybe the vehicle is owned by a urologist? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/15 "2015-10-20T17:07:50Z")
Repeated 8s are [internet slang for applause](http://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/11066/what-do-repeated-%EF%BC%98s-mean-in-internet-slang). Maybe R really likes P. ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/16 "2015-10-20T17:27:18Z")
My first thought (before reading any comment) was also “rape”. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/17 "2015-10-20T17:53:40Z")
In physics, _p_ is the symbol for momentum, so obviously, _R8 88 88 p_ means “Rate [my] [19]88 [Oldsmobile] 88['s] momentum.” ---
**Author:** ![Zyanthia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Zyanthia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyanthia)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/18 "2015-10-20T19:27:37Z")
8 is also pronounce ocho. So maybe the person is asking for help for their roacho problem. Or maybe it’s a drug dealers car. Roach roach roach roach roach and the P for pass. (puff puff pass). ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2015, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/19 "2015-10-21T02:38:05Z")
Without looking at the other posts. It looks like RAPE. Or, maybe RADIATE PEE ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2015, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224/20 "2015-10-21T02:46:29Z")
Or RADIATE APE [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-meaning-of-this-vanity-plate/735224.md?page=2)