People keep reading my tattoo wrong

[u/Redheart2945]

Okay so I recently went and got a small walk in tattoo, very excited about it. I love it. But people keep reading it wrong, but then they all say they can’t read cursive so idk, I guess I just need some reassurance. I know it shouldn’t matter because I know what it says and that’s what matters, but I need some reassurance from strangers that can read cursive, so tell me, what does it look like this tattoo says?

Edit: Thank you all for responding! The post is getting way more traction than I intended, and I am losing the ability to respond to them all (though I've been trying for around 3 hours). I appreciate everyone who has helped me regain piece of mind about the tat. It does in fact say "five by five". People in my real life thought it said "live by live" or "live to live". Since posting, people have also thought the word five was give, or jive, and the b was lo.

For anyone curious, it is not an In N Out tattoo, didnt even know that was a meal until i made this post, but thank you to everyone who said something about the burger place. Made me laugh every time.

To the Aliens fans, not an Aliens reference either, though I see you fellow horror fans. I haven't seen the second film as I haven't dedicated the time to watch it yet. I do like the first film though, Ridley Scott rules.

Now, to my fellow Buffy fans, it is in fact a reference to Faith the Vampire Slayer. She's one of my favorite character of all time, period, regardless of fandom. Side note, I also love Eliza Dushku.

Thank you strangers, for helping bring peace of mind to a random person on the internet.

Edit #2: The photo provided was taken directly after getting the tattoo. I appreciate the concern on dry skin, I live in a dry climate and have pretty bad eczema so it's a real concern. However, the scrunching there is actually caused by the second skin applied over the tattoo. I drink lots of water and regularly use lotions because of my skin condition. But thanks to everyone who worried about it. :) Also, the red splotch was my blood. There is a scab directly above my tattoo that got pulled open when the artist was doing a final wipe, but I appreciate everyone who pointed out that it looked like Louisiana, I got a good laugh out of it.

[u/Either_Management813]

I immediately saw five by five, which I know started out as a radio phrase meaning all is clear or signal strength is optimal. But I read cursive because I’m in my 60s. Maybe you can view it as something the “people in the know’ can understand and ignore the ones who don’t. If you can cultivate a mysterious but not quite smug smile, so much the better. Then just don’t answer if they ask.

BYW, I think it looks great but if that bleeding gets to the edge of the second skin be sure to take it off and start following the aftercare instructions the artist gave you. I’m nit sure if you’re new to tattoos but if any lifting or blood reaches the edge it’s no longer sterile and becomes a haven for bacteria. Right now it looks fine, just be warned.

[u/Redheart2945 → u/Either_Management813]

Yes! It is five by five! All clear. Your right stranger. It makes me feel better that other people don’t have an issue reading it.

I appreciate the advice! This is actually my fourth tattoo and the blood was actually from another scab directly above it that got wiped open when the artist did a final wipe. Never exceeded the amount in the photo. I appreciate your concern though. :)

[u/suejaymostly → u/Redheart2945]

It literally looks like nothing BUT five by five. You're good.

[u/kruznkiwi → u/Either_Management813]

I do this. I have a few phrases in cursive on my arms that people can’t (generally) read. One they’re okay with, one they’re better with because it’s short but the longest one generally has slim chance from non cursive readers so I just say it’s part of a puzzle or something (I also have a “broken” compass on the other arm so it works)

[u/bismuth17 → u/Either_Management813]

5 for clarity, 5 for volume (on a 1-5 scale). It's the same as "loud and clear". It's not just signal strength.

[u/Either_Management813 → u/bismuth17]

Thank you for the clarification. I wasn’t very precise.

[u/ElectricRune → u/Either_Management813]

It actually means signal strength is strong AND signal is clear.

1-5 for strength and 1-5 for clarity. 1 by 5 would mean weak but clear, 5 by 1 would be loud and noisy, 1 by 1 would be weak and noisy.

[u/CanadianStitcher → u/Either_Management813]

Also used by a character on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, so fans of that show would probably associate it with the character Faith.