Did you know 88 in ham radio lingo means love and kisses?

Q

Thanks very much for the explanation of why the DMV rejected my request for a personalized license plate “SHARX88” for Shark hockey player Brit Burns. Blew my mind that the number 88 is commonly associated with white supremacists. I had no idea about the alternative meaning of that number. Good job, DMV, for not allowing an offensive (to most) statement to unwittingly make its way onto our roadways. — John Dolan

A

Reaction to some issues surprises me — this is one of them. Over 100 commented.

Q

I was surprised to know 88 was a thing. DMV must have not known that when it issued my plate. Had it until a few months ago, when I sold my car.

— Stu Sweetow,

Oakland

A

Stu’s plate read 8B88088.

My friend’s name: Peter Schmuck. “Schmuck,” as you may know, is Yiddish for a certain part of the male anatomy. And “Peter” speaks for itself.

Ultimately, the DMV relented and approved the request.

Pete then had a bigger problem: keeping the plates from being stolen.

— Michael Runzler, Walnut Creek

A

This one has me laughing, as does the next comment.

Q

I had to laugh as to reasons DMV denies plates. No. 1 was offensive sexual connotations. I never understood how my parents were able to get RXTC42 (“Our ecstasy for two).

Yeah, my parents had the little two-seater Chrysler TC, but as a teenager, I thought their plate was gross!

— K. Masegian,

San Jose

A

Teens can be so overly sensitive, but I bet your parents thought it was hilarious.

Q

My husband says 88 in ham radio speak means love and kisses!

— Carolyn Worthington A

That it does.

Q

I’m shaking my head in dismay at your reader’s rejection of his personalized Burns88 plate at the hands of your DMV.

I encountered a vehicle in a Reno parking lot that made me smile. A BMW SUV with a Nevada license plate SPRKL88 was being driven by a lady whose culture believes that the number 8 and multiples thereof bring good luck to it and its families.

It was refreshing to see that the disease that has infected most if not all of California, robbing you of your ability to use common sense and critical thinking, has not spread beyond its eastern border and harmed my state.

For some of us, there is hope.

— Ken Peterson, Reno

A

Geeze, we both know California is truly the Golden State. Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/ mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@ bayareanewsgroup. com. Contact Gary Richards at grichards@ bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5037.