What is it?
The ability to perform string matching seems like a useful, or even essential skill, but the expression is too complicated.
Wasn't there a clearer way to write it? Well, I'll remember.
Reference:
http://www.php-labo.net/tutorial/php/match.html
http://sandman.s6.xrea.com/nucleus/item-62.html
The most important thing to remember is that regular expressions can be used to ask questions such as "Is this the correct format for a zip code? or "Is the format of the email address correct? and "Is it correct as a ZIP code format?