Michelle Mazzulo, author of Vanity Pl8 Puzzles (Santa Monica Press), has made a hobby out of deciphering cryptic license plates.
Mazzulo says vanity plates are some of the most challenging word puzzles around because people tend to make them very creative.
Because there’s “a lot of ego attached to a vanity plate” drivers love stumping onlookers with puzzles like “UEEEEA” – or Euphoria – and “LOIMVE,” or “I’m In Love.”
Mazzulo says the weirdest vanity plate she’s ever seen was one featuring the entire bottom line of the vision chart.
She says the best way to begin figuring out a vanity plate is to say the phrase or letters out loud in the car and drop the vowels.
If all else fails, look at the driver for clues or the make of the car, since vanity plates often hint at something about the vehicle.
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