A woman was left utterly horrified when she learned that a tattoo she had lived with for years didn’t mean what she thought it did.
The Tattoo Blunder
For over a decade, she wore what she believed was a meaningful phrase—only to later realize it actually translated into something embarrassing or inappropriate. The shock came when someone finally pointed out the real meaning behind the inked text Bored Panda.
How It Happened
- She sought a discreet tattoo with deep personal significance but never double-checked the translation or its placement.
- The artist relied solely on the design she brought—no language verification or mirror testing was done beforehand.
- She didn’t realize the mistranslation until well after the tattoo session was complete—leaving her in distress and disbelief
Realizations Came Too Late
The tattoo community quickly caught wind of the incident. Many made jokes, calling out the mistake and urging caution about getting foreign-language ink without solid research. Some debunked the design as being an Internet meme rather than a genuine quote
Expert Advice & Artist Reflections
- Many experienced tattooers recommend:
- Verifying any foreign-language design with a native speaker.
- Carefully reviewing the stencil in full size before it’s inked.
- In shared stories, some tattoo artists admitted offering free cover-ups due to guilt—though contractual and emotional ethics left them feeling conflicted
Psychologists emphasize that while the client should confirm the meaning, artists bear responsibility for clarity and accuracy, particularly where language or symbolic content is concerned
