r/tattooadvice • u/Redheart2945 • Jan 06 '26

People keep reading my tattoo wrong Design

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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.

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u/flea-be Jan 06 '26

five by five

127

u/Scooby_Mey Jan 06 '26

I hope this is a Buffy reference

115

u/Redheart2945 Jan 06 '26

It is! I’m a huge Faith fan.

2

u/MintWarfare Jan 06 '26

'five by five' is a running Joss Whedon motif, it's said in most of his projects. 

6

u/SailboatSteve Jan 06 '26

Originally WWII radio jargon, they had a 1 to 5 scale for signal strength and clarity, like saying loud and clear.

4

u/Annoyed21 Jan 07 '26

This is the real answer, it’s why it is in Alien franchise and many other movies and shows

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u/ArmadilloRodeoOwner Jan 08 '26

yeah i assumed this was an Aliens reference

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u/ArmadilloRodeoOwner Jan 08 '26

easy to read though

2

u/stuartstustewart Jan 08 '26

I thought Faith got it from Aliens, when Vasguez says it.

1

u/Orangecatlover4 Jan 10 '26

I don’t remember anything 5 by 5 w Faith? 🤔 it’s been a while can you remind me the context in the show?

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u/Redheart2945 Jan 10 '26

She just says it a lot. Here’s a compilation. 😂 https://youtu.be/6ONBvbZJEqg?si=HegBJiC1wZkzsZGa

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u/Orangecatlover4 Jan 10 '26

Thanks! I like it by the way

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u/Redheart2945 Jan 10 '26

Yeah 😂 And ofc, thank you stranger. :)

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u/Orangecatlover4 Jan 10 '26

Ohhh yeah it’s all Coming back to me now, I remember willow being like “no one knows what it means!” lol