from: Lindsey

to: "tiangotlost@gmail.com"
date: Tue, Dec 10, 2013 at 6:25 PM
subject: Tattoo for translation

Are you still able to translate tattoos? I thought this meant life, strength, and happiness. Thank you!

Lindsey

Middle character 勁 is mirrored.

from: Sabine T.
to: tiangotlost@gmail.com
date: Tue, Dec 10, 2013 at 3:34 AM
subject: What is the meaning of my Tattoo

Hi,

i would like your help please .... my tattoo should be "peace" but i guess it does not

THANKS for your reply.
all the best and greetings from Austria

瓶   bottle / vase / pitcher

from: Kaci H.
to: "tiangotlost@gmail.com"
date: Sat, Aug 10, 2013 at 9:27 PM

My mom has this tattooed on her back. The guy that did it said that it meant Mom in Chinese. I have googled and googled and cannot find a meaning for this ... Can you help? Please.

This is based on a different set of gibberish font we documented in 2009, where "m" is represented with 来 and "o" is 联.

from: Bobbie B.

to: tiangotlost@gmail.com
date: Thu, Aug 8, 2013 at 7:08 AM
subject: Lost in translation

Here are two "Chinese" characters I have tattooed on my body. I got them when I was very young and wasn't legally allowed to even be tattooed. I was told they meant happiness and sadness. I am very embarrassed by getting these and now being older I'm very curious what they might mean if anything.
Thanks

Bobbie

苦 of 痛苦 is upside down.

from: Kim C.
to: "tiangotlost@gmail.com"
date: Wed, Aug 7, 2013 at 4:17 PM
subject: Translation

Hello there. I just read your article- very entertaining :) I was wondering if you might find the time to translate a tattoo for me? My brother got one and I'm curious to know what it really means.

Thanks so much!!!

Kim

望 is revered referencing with other two characters, 力 and 信.

from: Sherry B.
to: "tiangotlost@gmail.com"
date: Wed, Aug 7, 2013 at 2:50 PM
subject: Tattoo translation

I've had this tattoo for almost 20 years, and I've had several friends get it as well. And I've met people who have had it as well before I ever knew them. We were all told it meant something akin to the Seize the Day sentiment. Were we right?

Alan and I have already blogged about 生現 be complete gibberish back in 2007 and 2010, yet we continue to see people getting fooled to thinking it means "live for the day", "seize the day", "carpe diem", or "YOLO, you only live once".

from: Tamara M.
to: tiangotlost@gmail.com
date: Wed, Aug 7, 2013 at 12:19 PM
subject: Tattoo Translation

Hi there

My girlfriend got this tattoo specially made. She even paid for a translator to get her daughters name. It’s supposed to say “ALEXA”. Can you tell me if it does or not?

Thanks

荒草 weeds / brush (vegetation) / wild grassland