Comments on: Holiday notes: the “Tramp Stamp”

By: Zoe

Zoe — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 05:06:05 +0000

I hate the phrase, mainly because it has so far successfully deterred me from getting a tattoo there even though I did at some point quite like one and logically it’s a nice place for it (visible in bikini but not in the workplace, skin doesn’t stretch/change, nice and symmetrical). I am forever haunted by my mother telling me not to do x, y and z because “it’s common” (although to be fair she says that about all tattoos including my existing one).

Unfortunately the barrage of imagery of really tacky lower back tattoos out there on really tacky people (not you, obviously) that I see probably will keep me put of from considering that area as a tattoo location.

Sometimes other people do kind of ruin certain symbols for the rest of us (I am looking at you Nazis, for ruining the swastika, and you the EDL for making the waving of English flags all questionable).

By: Elle

Elle — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:34:37 +0000

In reply to Miranda.

I’ve never heard that either. I teach cultural studies, and tattoos often come up in class discussions (especially since I have several that are visible), and I tell students that while “tramp stamp”, “ass antlers”, “New Jersey license plate”, etc., are offensive labels, the lower back is a perfectly reasonable place for young women to choose for her first (or only) tattoo.

First, it’s easily concealed by clothing when she needs to conceal it — whether for professional reasons or judgmental family members. Second, it’s one part of the body that changes very little with age or pregnancy, so a well done bit of ink on the lower back is likely to age well as she ages.

Third, especially in U.S. college contexts, young women may be getting tattoos in contexts of peer pressure and the above reasons are even more important: if she’s not certain she really wants a tattoo and is just getting one because all of her sorority sisters are getting one, best that it *is* easily concealed AND in a place where she herself doesn’t have to see it every day.

By: Miranda

Miranda — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:02:21 +0000

In reply to Alex.

I didn’t know that! That’s really interesting, it’s got me comparing the gender politics of the different contexts and trying to work out the possible differences.

Were they commonly called “tramp stamps”, as in the actual phrase, though?

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:05:33 +0000

Tramp stamps originated on gay men in San Francisco, precisely to indicate that their ass was available – oh the irony!

By: Markgraf

Markgraf — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 10:00:33 +0000

My dad calls them “arse antlers” which is about a million times more hilarious.

By: Saronai

Saronai — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 09:43:41 +0000

Agreed in every possible sense of the word.

I’m not much into tattoos on a personal level (never found anything worth the pain of having it permanently engraved into my skin). Regardless, I love looking at others’ tattoos and I love hearing the reasons behind them, particularly if it involves a story.

Some tattoos aren’t as interesting as others and many are either aesthetically pleasant eye candy (redundant?) or downright fascinating. Also, the lower back is a great place for an etching. I recently read somewhere about literary tattoos. Those sound double awesome (but still not worth the pain, I’m such a baby about a pain hee~) and many look absolutely wicked (in a good sense).

Interesting article, thanks!