# Out on the road today, I saw a "MENGELE" license plate on a pickup truck **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 29, 2021, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610 "2021-09-29T22:37:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2021, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/81 "2021-10-03T00:12:43Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > But didn’t they generally have to do something to piss off the Nazis first, like say something critical of them or their actions? Merely being a catholic wouldn’t earn you a ticket on a train to the camps, like it would for Jews, Romani, and homosexuals. It’s my impression – though I should do more research, I might be wrong – that in many areas being actively Catholic would do it; though if you didn’t insist on, say, going to a church the Nazis had declared shut down they wouldn’t come after you just because you’d been born into a Catholic family; which was indeed a difference from the situation for Jews, Romani, known homosexuals, and the obviously differently abled, none of whom could get out of it by keeping their heads low. But it’s also my impression that a lot of Catholics think they have to be actively Catholic, or risk hellfire. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2021, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/82 "2021-10-03T00:36:48Z")
Their plan was to decapitate the leadership of Poland and leave the common citizenry as slaves. This marked the clergy, as well as university professors, for death. In Catholic Austria, France, etc. no such extreme plan was in force. In fact, the pro-Nazi Slovakia regime was lead by an ordained [priest](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jozef_Tiso), and a Serb-killing death camp in Croatia run by a friar )(of the Franciscan order at that! I mean, the Dominicans sure, but Franciscans?) The American religious right would love to score points “atheist = Nazi,” but the Nazis had a lot of help from Roman Catholics, Ukrainian Orthodox, etc. in the Jew-hating dept. ---
**Author:** ![Galactus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galactus/32/3581_2.png) [@Galactus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galactus)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2021, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/83 "2021-10-03T00:45:30Z")
If this is about my post, I don’t get it either. Is it religious? Is it sexual? Enquiring minds want to know. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2021, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/84 "2021-10-03T00:49:54Z")
While I’d love for it to be some double entendre, my guess is that they are simply the third person to follow through on a ButGod license plate. “But God” is apparently a very religious thing in some circles. > **[But God](https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/but-god)** > > These two words, “but God,” tell us that we have been saved only by God’s grace. Dead children of wrath do not become living, loving children of God but for God. > **[31 But God Bible Verses](https://lisaappelo.com/but-god-bible-verses/)** > > These 31 But God Bible Verses show that circumstances never get the last word. There is always, always, always a BUT GOD! > **["But God..." 20 Verses to Remind Us of God's Faithfulness and Goodness](https://www.ibelieve.com/faith/but-god-verses-to-remind-us-of-his-faithfulness-and-goodness.html)** > > "But God" Is at the Heart of the Gospel Message. We still look forward to the final but God moment, when Jesus will return to right every wrong, heal every hurt, and dry every tear. There will be no more sadness, no more death, pain or... It’s even the title of a book (please don’t waste your money on it) > **["But God..." —The Two Words at the Heart of the Gospel, by Casey Lute](https://www.cruciformpress.com/product/but-god/)** > > "But God..." Grasp the use of this phrase in Scripture and you'll never be the same. Examines 9 times when God sovereignly intervened in redemptive history. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2021, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/85 "2021-10-03T01:00:26Z")
I think that the idea is that it sounds like BUTT GOD but that’s just a guess on my part. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2021, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/86 "2021-10-03T01:01:16Z")
That, or whining: “But, God, why do I hafta do that?”. ---
**Author:** ![Galactus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galactus/32/3581_2.png) [@Galactus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galactus)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2021, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/87 "2021-10-03T02:53:22Z")
Thanks for the enlightenment. Never heard of the But God thing before. ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2021, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/88 "2021-10-03T06:10:48Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > At least in some parts of the country, a MENGELE license plate is likely to draw attention in the form of eggs, a screwdriver to a door panel or worse. I’m not sure how likely that is; but if it did happen, he could always switch to ROHM. Who remembers the leader of the SA these days? Even a history major would probably think the driver is a bad speller who likes Italy. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2021, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/89 "2021-10-03T12:01:18Z")
Every time I see this thread title, I hear Don Henley singing it. 👍🏻😆 ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2021, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/90 "2021-10-03T12:50:52Z")
Or a Law & Order aficionado. ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2021, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/92 "2021-10-03T14:05:22Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > But it’s also my impression that a lot of Catholics think they have to be actively Catholic, or risk hellfire. It’s a slight hijack, but there is a near perfect example of one of these “Super Catholics” in the limited series “Midnight Mass” on NETFLIX. > [@DMC](#): > > “But God” is apparently a very religious thing in some circles. “Let’s light a candle and pray…!” “OK… hey, what’s that funny smell…?” ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2021, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/93 "2021-10-03T14:33:47Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > I think that the idea is that it sounds like BUTT GOD but that’s just a guess on my part. Plus the 3 can be a butt. (Still unclear if they’re saying you’re a butt if you say “but, God” of if they’re just saying they’re good at anal, though.) ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2021, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/94 "2021-10-03T16:14:15Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > (Still unclear if they’re saying you’re a butt if you say “but, God” of if they’re just saying they’re good at anal, though.) Yeah, that’s how I keep reading it (it’s like a visual earworm). In fact to eradicate it, I need to find the car with that plate in a grocery store parking lot, then wait for the elderly couple that owns it. I’ll wink at the innocent old guy and say “It’s true, isn’t it?” “What’s that, young man?” “You _are_ THE BUTT GOD!!!” . . . [/loud Thor voice] ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2021, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/95 "2021-10-03T16:21:12Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > > [@hajario](#): > > > > I think that the idea is that it sounds like BUTT GOD but that’s just a guess on my part. > > Plus the 3 can be a butt. > > (Still unclear if they’re saying you’re a butt if you say “but, God” of if they’re just saying they’re good at anal, though.) “_And now, a god with three buttocks._” ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2021, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/96 "2021-10-03T17:34:36Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > “ _And now, a god with three buttocks._ ” What’s next…? Header pipes…? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2021, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/97 "2021-10-03T19:48:04Z")
The “hafta” sounds like a “Family Circus” reference to me. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2021, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/98 "2021-10-04T18:09:55Z")
Jeffy and Billy go to Golgotha… ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2021, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/99 "2021-10-05T01:28:03Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Let’s face it, the DMV person who approved it had NO IDEA who Mengele was. Well, in my wonderful state, the DMV person types it into a computer, and it spits out wether our not it gets approved. Clerk has no say. You can even go to the DMV site and try out myriads of combinations to see if they are available or approved. Not everyone at the DMV needs to be Ken Jennings. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2021, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/100 "2021-10-05T01:40:30Z")
Interestingly enough, if you look at the application for a personalized plate in Washington State: [https://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/420499.pdf](https://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/420499.pdf) You have to write “meaning” under your requested text. (You ask for 3 in case they reject the first and/or second request.) Which means that they factor intent into the request. I find that interesting because you’d think that the reason you want the plate means less than how others will react to it (and potentially be offended by it). My only guess is that sometimes people are dumb enough to explain on the form itself why it might be offensive. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2021, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610/101 "2021-10-05T02:10:33Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > My only guess is that sometimes people are dumb enough to explain on the form itself why it might be offensive. Or they have no idea that something like “retard” is offensive. In my work with senior housing I cannot count the number of incredibly offensive things clients have said that they seem to really have no idea are offensive. Racial, religious, disability, language, you name it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-on-the-road-today-i-saw-a-mengele-license-plate-on-a-pickup-truck/951610.md?page=6)