PLAY California license plate has a hidden message – and it’s going viral across the world

BigFootsCousin

Molon Labe!
Fair Use-
Story by Michael Panter • 10h ago

I can vividly remember when I was a teenager and had just gotten my driver’s license. The sense of promised freedom was enthralling, the sense of accomplishment at having passed my driving test extremely gratifying.
No sooner had me and a few of my friends earned the right to be on the road, than did we set about trying to take the beat up, old bangers that passed for cars – the only vehicles we could afford – and make them prettier with the small amount of money available to us.

It wasn’t exactly Pimp My Ride, but we did the best we could. Moreover, it was virtually a level playing field with regards to how we were able to improve our respective motors. That was until a close friend of mine got a new license plate from his grandparents for his birthday.

Regardless of what you think to people getting custom plates for their cars, you have to understand that when I was young there was nothing cooler in my mind. Which is probably why this particular story caught my eye. It concerns a California license plate and the controversial hidden message the owner of the car buried in a rather clever, if a little crude way. Read on below for more…

If you’ve spent any amount of time on the road, you’ll likely have seen your fair share of personalized license plates. Usually they’re a nod to the owner of the vehicle; perhaps a name or nickname they go by. A small, select few go for a more comic approach, conjuring clever, one-word offerings through letters and numbers that are enough to at least make the rest of us smile as we drive past.
Yet I know for a certainty that I’ve never seen a license plate quite like one that turned up in California. On the face of it, it merely appears an innocent assembly, reading: 3JOH22A“.

Only, there’s more to this plate than meets the eye. So much more, in fact, that I’m positively stunned it was able to get past the DMV.
As per reports, a picture of the plate was uploaded to Imgur after being snapped by an eagle-eyed passerby. Some people are calling it “genius”. Others are naturally a little less impressed.

Now, those of you who took the time to really study the plate before scrolling down might still be scratching your head as to what the hidden meaning is. There be even be some among you who have figured it out – and are subsequently chuckling away.

California license plate has a hidden message – and it’s going viral across the world
California license plate has a hidden message – and it’s going viral across the world© Provided by Newsner

While on the face of it “3JOH22A” doesn’t mean anything, the ‘genius’ of this assortment of letters and numbers becomes visible when studied through, say, a rear-view mirror.
That’s right, if you see vehicle driving in your wake (providing you’re seeing it through your mirrors) you’ll see the word “A22HOLE” staring back at you!
Crude? Absolutely. But it would appear that there are a lot of people who appreciate the owner’s creativity.
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BFC- I have no words......... :shr:
 

Walrus Whisperer

Hope in chains...
My 1st car was a 68' el Camino. I drove that thing till it needed another engine, got a used one put in and drove it some more. Some azzhole crashed into it in the middle of the night. Tore the back of it up bad. Got a new old tailgate and drove it a lot more.
 

ComCamGuy

Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
They have had that plate for years, too. I’ve seen it on another site I’m on at least five years ago
 

coalcracker

Veteran Member
Thought DMV was sharper than that.
I don’t know, Profit of Doom. You are quite kind. I’m thinking DMV is about as sharp as a watermelon.

Of course, I might just be a little mean-spirited, you know, after all the “friendly” treatment I’ve received from them over the years... “How dare ye bother me with a question! Now take a number, sit down, and wait till your number is called, peon!”
 

9idrr

Veteran Member
Thought very briefly of puttin' in for a PH plate that says NOREMFS but figured it wouldn't be worth the hassle and expense. Kommiefornia charges extra to get personalized and/or Purple Heart plate, plus an additional yearly fee.
I knew there'd be no chance of sneakin' through CALFUBAR. :whistle:
 

Kathy in FL

Administrator
_______________
Thought DMV was sharper than that.
latest
 

anna43

Veteran Member
Waiting for your turn in my county is not long. Population under 10,000 in entire county.

I think all states charge extra for anything beyond standard plate. Story in the news a number of years back about profanity on plates that got past inspectors at the prison where they are made.
 
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