# Worst ideas for tattoos you've seen **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 2, 2001, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841 "2001-02-02T07:49:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2001, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/81 "2001-02-09T16:51:48Z")
OK- I think my tats are as appropriate or well thought out as they can be… right shoulder- my Grandfather’s WWII infantry patch. He was in the 45th and the tat is a red diamond with a native american thunderbird in yellow. I am very proud of his service in the War and I know that as long as people see the tat they will ask me about it and I will have an opportunity to tell his story for years after he has passed. center back- 3 inch yen and yang modified to have 3 little fishy things instead of 2. I have a brother who died and one brother who is my best friend in the world and this symbol represents the 3 of us united. I think these are good excuses to get permanent markings…dont you? ---
**Author:** ![Tiburon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e36b37/32.png) [@Tiburon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tiburon)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2001, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/82 "2001-02-09T17:15:35Z")
I knew a girl in law school who, during our second year at school, had a good friend pass away. She was so moved that she had her friend’s portrait put right on her sternum - smack in the middle, just above her boobs so that if she wore a v-neck, it was partly nestled in her cleavage, sticking out. Then it was third year of law school and we were all going to court and it dawned on her that despite the sentiment, it was not the best idea in the world - so she was having it lasered off. From what I understand, it hurt like a \*itch. I’m thinking of getting a tattoo. I’d get tiny stars that made a constellation - Orion, probably - and it wouldn’t be very obvious what it was unless I pointed it out. I just like it. Of course, first I need some balls and pain tolerance. Tibs. ---
**Author:** ![Homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df788c/32.png) [@Homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2001, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/83 "2001-02-11T04:03:47Z")
I want a 2 inch Superman symbol on my right upper arm. –Tim ---
**Author:** ![red\_dragon60](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@red\_dragon60](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/red_dragon60)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2001, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/84 "2001-02-11T04:32:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BunnyGirl \* > \*\ ***Five** , thanks for the warning. ::sigh:: guess I’ll have to break the ol’ imagination. Unfortunately, that’s kind of been my “prime directive”, so to speak. > > Dirty rats, taking all the good ones. Plus, the last thing I want to do is be a parody. I truly want to get one as an act of self-expression but I don’t want to be thought of as the cheesy, follow-the-crowd type person, which I’m not. > > Ideas? Anyone? Anyone? \*\* Carpe Noctem- Sieze the night! Sanguinus Bibimus, Corpus Edimus- We drink blood, we eat flesh. You could find out what “the die is cast” is in latin. THat would be pretty cool. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2001, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/85 "2001-02-11T15:53:22Z")
OK- this was told to me last night at dinner with my parents… They were out to dinner at this little dive restaurant that is sort of an institution in this town and they asked their waitress about her numerous tatoos. She described the numerous ones you can’t see and finished with saying “I used to have one right here (points to area between her hip and pubic area), but its gone now.” My grandfather asked how it could be gone, and she said, “I think my pus\*y ate it”. My grandmother could have died. ---
**Author:** ![Gunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gunslinger)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2001, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/86 "2001-02-11T19:52:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by red\_dragon60 \* > \*\* > Carpe Noctem- Sieze the night! > > \*\* Carpe Cerevisi! [sub]Seize the beer![/sub] 😃 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mermaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@The\_Mermaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mermaid)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2001, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/87 "2001-02-11T21:55:25Z")
I used to take care of a man(I’m an RN) who had numerous tattoos. Over his nipples were the words “Sweet” and “Sour” on his knees “hello” and “Baby” and on his penis “FUCK STICK”. Even worse on his arms were Rob loves Brenda,crossed out,Susan,crossed out, Karen, crossed out then finally ?. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2001, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/88 "2001-02-11T22:10:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by red\_dragon60 \* > You could find out what “the die is cast” is in latin. THat would be pretty cool. \*\* Alea iacta est. ---
**Author:** ![Gundhilde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecc23a/32.png) [@Gundhilde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundhilde)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2001, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/89 "2001-02-11T23:55:30Z")
How about “Animal bipes implume” - two-legged animal without feathers? Yeah. Got that from good ol’ Merriam-Webster’s. ---
**Author:** ![TPWombat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@TPWombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TPWombat)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2001, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/90 "2001-02-12T01:45:43Z")
**BunnyGirl : ‘Nil Carborundum’** - “Don’t let the bastards grind you down” 😃 Oh, another Bad Tattoo - there used to be a particularly violent and unpleasant skinhead in Portsmouth who had a dotted line and ‘cut here’, complete with the little scissors picture, tattooed around his neck. ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2001, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/91 "2001-02-12T04:33:38Z")
**TPWombat** : > [@](#): > > **BunnyGirl** : ‘Nil Carborundum’- “Don’t let the bastards grind you down” 😃 No, it’s _illegitimi non carborundum_. In the interest of full disclosure, I figured I should show all of you my own tattoo: [Calvin and Hobbes](http://www.mindspring.com/~glenn5/images/tattoo.gif) This image is slightly distorted, because it was created by lying down on a scanner instead of using a camera, but you get the idea. It’s on my right shoulderblade. ---
**Author:** ![Doobieous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Doobieous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doobieous)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2001, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/92 "2001-02-12T12:27:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BunnyGirl \* > \*\ ***Five** , thanks for the warning. ::sigh:: guess I’ll have to break the ol’ imagination. Unfortunately, that’s kind of been my “prime directive”, so to speak. > > Dirty rats, taking all the good ones. Plus, the last thing I want to do is be a parody. I truly want to get one as an act of self-expression but I don’t want to be thought of as the cheesy, follow-the-crowd type person, which I’m not. > > Ideas? Anyone? Anyone? \*\* Well, you could get(in Vulgar Latin no less): Scio iam filius quod amet meus istanc meretricem - I already realize that my son loves this prostitute (Plautus’s Asinaria (52-52)) Sorry :).But, it does sound quite…scholarly and smart! (well, that would count as an example of a bat tattoo idea) ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2001, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/93 "2001-02-14T07:07:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Five \* > \*\*In the interest of full disclosure, I figured I should show all of you my own tattoo: > > [Calvin and Hobbes](http://www.mindspring.com/~glenn5/images/tattoo.gif) > > This image is slightly distorted, because it was created by lying down on a scanner instead of using a camera, but you get the idea. It’s on my right shoulderblade. \*\* You go, Five! I’d been thinking, “Don’t tell unless you’re going to show!” Good choice of a C&H panel. ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/94 "2001-02-15T02:06:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by diamud \* > \*\*There is a guy in my office with a tattoo of UPC bar code, complete with numbers, on the back of his neck. It cannot be completely hidden by a shirt. I sometimes wonder how funny his “statement” will be when he is older (he is early 20’s now) \*\* I met a guy with a tat like that, only it was on his ass and said “Made in England” below it. He was born in London. ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/95 "2001-02-15T02:22:42Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Poysyn \* > **But the strangest one I have seen so far was a "F** _ You" tattooed on the inside of someone’s bottom lip. It was fresh when I saw it and still bleeding. \*\* I dated a guy who had “FTW” (F\*\*\* The World) tattooed on the inside of his lip. He was one strange bird, I don’t know WHAT I was thinking there. My Dad sitll talks about “That weird guy…” ---
**Author:** ![iamutt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9e8a1a/32.png) [@iamutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamutt)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/96 "2001-02-18T07:19:44Z")
Hey bunnygirl, How about just ‘carpe’, or, ‘carpe THIS!’ ---
**Author:** ![Homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df788c/32.png) [@Homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/97 "2001-02-18T07:20:05Z")
There was the little girl in the gas station, hardly old enough to walk, wearing a two piece bathing suit, with a tattoo visible from her ankle, wrapping around her leg, hidden by her suit bottom, again appearing up across her belly, where it disappeared underneath her top. Barely old enough to walk. What a shame. –Tim ---
**Author:** ![iamutt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9e8a1a/32.png) [@iamutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamutt)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/98 "2001-02-18T07:31:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ptahlis \* > \*\*Worst tattoos I’ve seen: In a tattoo parlor I saw one in their book that was the pink panther mowing the top of some woman’s pubic hair. The other was one I saw IRL, (but it may have been fake I guess). It was a guy with a spider right in the middle of his forehead, legs splayed. I think that limits your career opportunities to either a) internationally famous rock star, or b) carny. Guess where I saw him? \*\* Pink has always been my favorite character since I was a kid! The mower bit is awsome! I wish I’d thought of it. I wonder if my wife…“Hey, Honey!, c’mere and read this…” \ “Yeah, right! And then you woke up…” ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/99 "2001-02-18T07:48:53Z")
Had a friend (gay, borderline personality disorder, for what it’s worth) who wanted to get the words “Lucky You” tattooed above his crotch. Told him it was horribly stupid, and that anyone with an ounce of self-esteem would walk the fuck out if they came across that . . . at least, **I** would, and I can’t really afford to pass up a piece when it becomes available. As far as I know, he still hasn’t done it. ---
**Author:** ![Iguana\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@Iguana\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iguana_Boy)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841/100 "2001-02-18T18:52:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BunnyGirl \* > so now I’m thinking about the small of my back, just above my bikini line. I would get the words “Carpe Diem” done in probably 1/2" high letters. > > still thinking, still thinking. \*\* You have a bikini line on your \*\* back \*\*?! Oh, you mean \*\* level \*\* with your bikini line… 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-ideas-for-tattoos-youve-seen/52841.md?page=6)