Stupid? Supercool? Living in LA, I could write a whole nother entry on the topic, but would rather hear about stupid vanity plates y'all see.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Answers

The one I keep seeing lately that annoys me is a Jaguar with the plates: QIK BRIT. Qite the qik wit, there.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Stupid. This teacher at the school where I used to work had a plate that said Tcher. And it pissed me off every. time. I saw it. Being a teacher? Cool, but not that cool, especially after a day with special ed or emotional support.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Way to set an example by misspelling your profession, Tch!

The only cool use of vanity plates I've ever seen was an adaptation of Oedipus Rex that was written using only phrases on California state vanity plates. I had tears streaming down my cheeks, it was so funny.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Did anyone else love Bumper Stumpers way too much as a child?

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

What's Bumper Stumpers?

There was this green Accord I used to see all the time with QUEENFN plates. I used to think it meant Queen of Fun which I thought was stupid. Maybe it meant Queen Fan which isn't too bad.

I used to live in LA, I remember all the vanity plates. I didn't really notice it when I was there a few weeks ago though. Maybe the novely has worn off.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

My vanity plates and I will just slink off into a corner now, since we're not cool. Which also means you don't get to know what they say. You're sad now, aren't you?

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2002

Bumper Stumpers: a game show where contestants had to decipher made- up vanity license plates. This page has screen shots.

I watched far too many cheesy game shows on USA in the mid-80s, and am scarred for life as a result, probably.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2002

My wonderful fiancee went and got personalized license plates for his 2002 Acura RSX Type S. What do they say? They say, "TYPE S". Which is already on the back of his car. I just don't see the need in this.

As for personalized plates in general? Again, I don't see the use. The people that normally have them are the ones that cut me off in traffic, driving along in their sporty red little convertables or sleek black sports cars. So I tend to associate a personalized license plate with jackass drivers.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2002

A new guy started working here. He has his first name on his plates on his SUV. So far he seems like the nice quiet type but I suspect a raging ego underneath the demure demeanor.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2002

Leigha, I am so going to be looking for your fiancee's car now! Since I am in Austin and all. But not in a stalking way, I promise. There just aren't tons of vanity plates here (save down on campus), so I always seem to notice them.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

Pineapple - if you see him, honk, point and laugh. Maybe that will convince him that those plates were a silly idea.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

Leigha, bless your heart for putting up with those plates.

Although, it could be worse: the other day, I was driving through Atlanta and saw a fly black Expedition with plates that read BUKHED.

The kicker (and those of you who are familiar with Atlanta will appreciate this)? The truck was registered in Cobb County!

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

T, watching the Food Network and they referred to Buckhead as the "funky area" in Atlanta - meaning funky/offbeat/cool. I laughed, and had to explain to Partner that until funky = wealthy yuppie, that statement would remain wrong wrong wrong.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002