The government of Saskatchewan has once again forbidden one of its residents from owning an “ASSMAN” personalized license plate.

Railroad worker David Assman (pronounced OSS-men) of Melville, Sask., first tried to put his last name on a license plate in the 1990s, but had it rejected as “profanity.” A recent application was again denied on the grounds that his last name is “offensive, suggestive or not in good taste.”

“I think they are too worried that people are going to have hurt feelings about something that is complete nonsense,” Assman told the National Post by direct message. “Even if it wasn’t my last name who is it going to hurt?”

Assman owes his surname to his great, great grandfather, who brought the name from Germany when he settled in Neudorf, Saskatchewan.

According to HouseofNames.com, Assman derives from “ash,” an ancient Saxon word for spear. Thus, the original Assmans would have been part of a warrior clan.

“Even if a word is someone’s name and pronounced differently than the offensive version, that’s not something that would be apparent to other motorists who will see the plate,” said Saskatchewan Government Insurance spokesman Tyler McMurchy. He added that the agency generally errs on the side of caution.

The whole story – special thanks to National Post- is more disturbing than funny actually. Think about it. Who decides these rules?