The generic term which has always been used to describe a vehicle registration number which has been purchased because it spells the owners namd or intials is cherished number plates. However in recent years there have been other phrases which have risen to the fore such as private plates or personalised registrations. This has led to the two terms to be used to differentiate between the traditional ageless type registration number which was always expensive and the newer type prefix and current style numbers which usually cost considerably less. There is even a certain amount of snobbery associated with the terms.