# What is offensive about this Vanity license plate? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 2, 2021, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542 "2021-07-02T22:17:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/1 "2021-07-02T22:17:37Z")
I don’t see anything bad in this… 69PWNDU Apparently I’m not the only person. She had this plate ten years with no problems. What’s it supposed to say that has Tenn DMV all upset? > **[Gamer’s 69PWNDU vanity license plate is ‘offensive,’ Tennessee says. Now...](https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article252500493.html)** > > Leah Gilliam said her constitutional rights were violated when state officials revoked the vanity plate she’s had for more than a decade. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/2 "2021-07-02T22:20:09Z")
You mean besides the obvious sexual reference? I’m not offended by it, but I can’t imagine the DMV would let 69 anything fly. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/3 "2021-07-02T22:21:47Z")
I’m aware of what 69 can mean. But I see that number in many contexts without blushing or connecting it to sex. The other letters seem random to me. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/4 "2021-07-02T22:23:48Z")
And what in what context do you suppose it is meant here? Looks like a gratuitous sexual reference to me, like something a twelve year old would do, with some L33T thrown in. ETA: No, the other letters aren’t random. It’s “69 pwned you” ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/5 "2021-07-02T22:27:13Z")
69PWNDU = 69 pwned you = #69 owned you _owned_ is a common gamer term for “dominated” ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/6 "2021-07-02T22:29:28Z")
Whether or not it violates any constitutional rights is an interesting question. My understanding is that generally swearing, obscenity and sexual references are not allowed on license plates. Has this ever been challenged? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/7 "2021-07-02T22:32:38Z")
I’m usually the one laughing at the inadvertent penis shapes on the weather maps. This time my 12 year-old self missed the meaning on that plate. I understand why it took ten years for the DMV to notice. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/8 "2021-07-02T22:33:04Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Whether or not it violates any constitutional rights is an interesting question. That this particular license plate should be considered offensive is IMHO debatable. That it’s a violation of a person’s First Amendment rights not to allow them to have an offensive lincense plate strikes me as ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/9 "2021-07-02T22:40:49Z")
So she may not have realized the connotations of 69, but as a gamer I find that unlikely. She may not have intended it as a sexual reference (I’m skeptical), but most people would read it that way. So it’s a question of whether intent matters, I guess. I’m just trying to understand the mentality of someone who would sue over this. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/10 "2021-07-02T22:43:24Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > That it’s a violation of a person’s First Amendment rights not to allow them to have an offensive lincense plate strikes me as ridiculous. It likely isn’t a 1st Amendment violation. SCOTUS has held that government has general power to control content of customised licence plates: upheld a Texas refusal to allow the Confederate battle flag. > **[Walker v. Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walker_v._Texas_Division,_Sons_of_Confederate_Veterans)** > > Walker v. Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, 576 U.S. 200 (2015), was a United States Supreme Court case in which the Court held that license plates are government speech and are consequently more easily regulated/subjected to content restrictions than private speech under the First Amendment. > The Texas Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans sought to have a specialty license plate issued in the state of Texas with an image of the Confederate Battle Flag. The request was deni... (I always think this case is about Chuck Norris taking on the Confederacy.) ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/11 "2021-07-02T22:43:34Z")
Sounds like a Streisand Effect thing. By trying to ban this thing which the vast majority of people wouldn’t be offended by, they’re drawing even more attention to it. I mean, it’s not like it’s an “NGGR” license plate, and even that could be coincidental. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/12 "2021-07-02T22:47:05Z")
So she doesn’t even have a case. What a waste of time. Just change it to some other number and move on with life. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/13 "2021-07-02T22:52:57Z")
I’ve heard the DMV has a naughty list of letter combinations that can’t be used on vanity plates. The computer flags them. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/14 "2021-07-02T22:55:43Z")
I’d think it was an athlete who wore a number 69 that dominated a rival team. ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/15 "2021-07-02T22:59:59Z")
What about this one? A few years ago a Canadian man, whose last name is “Grabher”, has had, for a long, long time, vanity plates with “GRABHER”. All was well until someone complained. I’ve lost track on the appeals process but here’s one article on it: [https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5880109](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5880109) ---
**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:** [July 2, 2021, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/16 "2021-07-02T23:10:22Z")
Well the number 69 is banned in the NBA, at least effectively. Nobody has ever worn it and Dennis Rodman was not allowed to have it. > **[What are the NBA Jersey number rules?](https://basketballnoise.com/what-are-the-nba-jersey-number-rules/)** > > NBA players can pick numbers from 00 - 99. If the jersey a player wants is retired, then the player has to write to the individual to ask permissions to wear that jersey number. We > Any request for jersey number needs to be approved by the NBA. Dennis Rodman moved to the Dallas Mavericks in 2000 and requested that he had the number 69 jersey. Mark Cuban was so excited to have Rodman on his team that he agreed and even had some jerseys made up. Even though Cubans purchase of the Dallas Mavericks had yet to be ratified by the NBA. David Stern reviewed Rodmans request and felt the number 69 had negative connotations particular for such a high profile player such as Dennis Rodman. The NFL allows it, here is a list of players that have worn it: > **[All Players To Wear Number 69 | Pro-Football-Reference.com](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/uniform.cgi?number=69)** > > All Players To Wear Number 69 Quite a few, in fact 28 total players wear it in 2021, which means that all but 6 teams in the NFL have a player wearing that number. (I’m a Seahawks fan and it’s currently won by Tyler Ott, the Pro Bowl long-snapper.) The NHL allows it though it’s uncommon, here is an article about some players who have worn the number. > **[A comprehensive list of the greatest hockey players to wear 69](https://thecomeback.com/nhl/a-comprehensive-list-of-the-greatest-hockey-players-to-wear-69.html)** > > Here is the list you have been waiting for your entire life, hockey fans. It certainly could be a sports reference, but the woman who is suing in the OP’s article claims it celebrates the moon landing. (Which itself could be a sexual reference.) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/17 "2021-07-02T23:36:30Z")
> [@velomont](#): > > What about this one? A few years ago a Canadian man, whose last name is “Grabher”, has had, for a long, long time, vanity plates with “GRABHER”. All was well until someone complained. I’ve lost track on the appeals process but here’s one article on it Looks like it’s still on reserve before the Court of Appeal. The trial court reached the same conclusion as the US Supreme Court: > [@](#): > > [150] I find there is no constitutionally-protected right to [s. 2](https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/laws/stat/schedule-b-to-the-canada-act-1982-uk-1982-c-12/latest/schedule-b-to-the-canada-act-1982-uk-1982-c-12.html#sec2_smooth)(b) freedom of expression in a government-owned, personalized license plate. I further find that Mr. Grabher has not established that the Registrar’s decision limited his [s. 15](https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/laws/stat/schedule-b-to-the-canada-act-1982-uk-1982-c-12/latest/schedule-b-to-the-canada-act-1982-uk-1982-c-12.html#sec15_smooth) equality rights. If I am incorrect and there is a [s. 2](https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/laws/stat/schedule-b-to-the-canada-act-1982-uk-1982-c-12/latest/schedule-b-to-the-canada-act-1982-uk-1982-c-12.html#sec2_smooth)(b) protection in the location of a personalized license plate, I find that the limitation of s. 5(c)(iv), including its use to recall a plate under s. 8, is justified under [s. 1](https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/laws/stat/schedule-b-to-the-canada-act-1982-uk-1982-c-12/latest/schedule-b-to-the-canada-act-1982-uk-1982-c-12.html#sec1_smooth). ---
**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:** [July 2, 2021, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/18 "2021-07-02T23:48:56Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’ve heard the DMV has a naughty list of letter combinations that can’t be used on vanity plates. I was so proud of myself when I managed to sneak one through. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/19 "2021-07-02T23:52:20Z")
> [@velomont](#): > > A few years ago a Canadian man, whose last name is “Grabher”, has had, for a long, long time, vanity plates with “GRABHER”. All was well until someone complained. Guess what other name you can’t have on your license plate in Canada? Your post somehow reminded me of [Dick Assman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Assman), who was featured on David Letterman’s show. Reading his Wikipedia article, I find: > [@Wikipedia](#): > > Another Saskatchewan resident surnamed Assman, Dave Assman of [Melville, Saskatchewan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melville,_Saskatchewan), earned notoriety in 2019 when he attempted to get a vanity [licence plate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/License_plate) with his surname on it; when [Saskatchewan Government Insurance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatchewan_Government_Insurance) rejected his request, he had a tailgate-sized replica of an [“ASSMAN” licence plate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fusilli_Jerry) painted on the back of his truck. ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542/20 "2021-07-02T23:53:57Z")
But it was ok on Seinfeld? Go figger 😄 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-offensive-about-this-vanity-license-plate/945542.md?page=2)