Merlin, Oregon - The state of Oregon has ordered a family to turn in the vanity license plates on its cars because their Dutch last name, which is written on the plates, is similar to an offensive word.

The plates, UDINK1 UDINK2 and UDINK3 are on the vehicles of Mike and Shelly Udink and their son.

Last summer, the Udink's application for UDINK4 was rejected and the state ordered that the other three plates be returned.

"DINK has several derogatory meanings," Yvonne Bell, who sits on the Department of Motorvehicles panel that approves vanity plates.

DMV spokesman David House and Bell said the word can be treated as a verb, which gives it a sexual reference, and also can be a racial slur targeted at the Vietnamese. The "U" in the front could be construed as "You."

The DMV denies requests for any combination of letters and numbers that may be viewed as objectionable, in any language, by use of phonetic, numeric or reverse spelling, or when viewed as a mirror image, or that would alarm or offend a reasonable person.

Intimate body parts or sexual or bodily functions are taboo, as are offensive references to race, color, gender, ethnic heritage, or national origin or to alcohol or drugs or paraphernalia.

House said the state has the right to censor license plates, because the state owns them.
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Since when was Dink so offensive?

Wasn't there a cartoon called Dink the Dinosaur? I think someone complained about the plates. Anything to complain about.

Dink....a sexual term ? I've been searching my brain, and I have no idea what offensive name that could be referring to Vietnamese.

I don't see how that's offensive. There's more offensive words than that.

I don't find it offensive. I bet it was a soccer mom that complained as they complain about everything.

What next? Tell the family to change their last name because someone "might" be offended?

Are you kidding me?? The only way I can see using this word offensively is replacing a 4 letter word with it.. like saying "Oh fudge" when you spill yer coffee, rather then saying the word f... well you get the idea. Heck I've heard toddlers this word while babysitting in place of "potty" and that was always acceptable. Someone needs to pull their head out of the morals bucket and get with the program.

I will have to agree with Miss Rose. Children are growing up
faster these days (My little cousin has just started using sentences
and already knows the F word). Besides Dink isn't that bad even when
used in a derogatory matter. Heck my name has been pronounced as the
B word before.

It,s their name for heavens sake, and i don,t see anything offensive about it! Funny mabey, but thats probably why they are having a little fun with their own name. But i guess some people arn,t happy unless there complaining about someone else and something trivial! I guess it keeps their minds off their own misserable lives! Very stupid complaint though!

That's kinda loopy if you ask me. But my sister lives in Oregon and I swear they have some of the strangest people in government and politics down there. Weird laws too.

A friend of mine here in Washington used to always win the Seattle Weekly (an alternative entertainment newspaper) personalized plate contest every year. He drove a pick up truck with a plate that read "4xPlay" hahaha. I always thought it was funny. WA let him keep it even though it was clearly a sexual reference. I guess we're just not as uptight up here.

''Dink''....well, thats new to me I didn't know it could be an offensive word. And speaking of which, there have been some.....not offensive, but some naughty words on license plates in my home town - written in my native language The state has no idea.

UDINK - U DINK . . well its not censored. so its not offensive. anyone offended ???

Spewin.

If I got my plates regected I be so sad.

SUXGAS ILBCNU FANGIN

that's a fine lookin car, Atanerpmav

I'm still trying to figure out how the name "Dink" can be offensive...Now if the license plate said "UDick", I could maybe understand it...Awful lot of news lately regarding names...

The first time I heard the word Dink was today, Coldethyl stuck it in a posting, I liked the word and thought it was funny. This is the second time I have heard the word, I am not offended, I think it is kinda cute!

Anyway, what about when someone says "oh what a dinky kitten" - meaning small and cute. Does anyone remember "Dinky Toys" - Dinky was the name of a toy manufacturer, they made toy cars etc.

Dink dink dink dink dink dink dink - nothing wrong with dink

haha I remember the good o'l days when my grandmother used to flip the bird out the window and yell out "you dink" to anyone that cut her off while driving.. This article made my day!! I should see if BC will allow a license plate like that.. I'll get it for my gran for xmas.. lol

Skin-a-ma-rinky Dinky Dink, Skin-a-ma-rinky Doooo.. I.. love.. you.... >.>

"Dink" was a derogatory term used by American troops for Vietnamese people during the Viet Nam War. First one that came to mind when I read this.

LOL, then if I see some little old lady driving around with that on their car, I will know who to blame!

Compliments of American Heritage:



This is the only definition I have ever known for dink. Well, I learned something new today! Yeah!! Jody

i'd be a lia' if i said dink wasnt think in my vocabulary. at least i don't type like i tawk.