What does a simple tattoo of a swallow signify!?

[chrisk]

I was lead to believe it was a badge for being in prison (doing bird), but after googling it seems it is more likely associated with the Navy or loyalty. The people I know who have one have never been in the Navy so I'm a tad confused.

Can anyone enlighten me? The people who have them always seem to be quite 'hard'!

[davido140]

is this the little one between the thumb and forefinger on a hand?

I've seen it quite a few times before on "old boys" not sure what its all about, and never had the nuts to ask!

It might be as simple as "trendy in the 40's or 50's"

[kit80]

That they swallow

[John D.]

chrisk said:

The people who have them always seem to be quite 'hard'!

That was my understanding too Lots of men of a certain generation have them round my way.

[roofer]

It means the tattooist talked them into having the easiest (for him) tattoo done.

[Fex2005]

Means they are a double hard bd

[T_Pot]

I was led to believe

one swallow, was a sign of being in prison for a short period. one on each hand, was someone who had served 10 years plus.

[whirligig]

I thought it was something to do with the amount of time sailors in the Navy had spent at sea - one swallow meant so many years/miles whatever - two maybe signified longer??!!

[chrisk]

Our neighbour has one (between thumb and forefinger), he's in his 60s. If you park your car in the 'wrong place' he goes absolutely nuts, doesn't politely ask you to move but just boils up inside and screams and shouts - his irrationality is actually quite amusing.

I imagine the tattoo has some relevance!

[Wacky Racer]

[Twincharged]

Not sure about that underwear- can you imagine getting her back to your place, sitting her on the bed about to do the dirty deed and then you take her skirt off and that's staring up at you!

Edited by Twincharged on Sunday 7th December 12:08

[jshell]

Wacky Racer said:

Yup - swallows..! :-)

[jshell]

Hold up, she's about to swallow a bullet - and, and, and she's using a relaxed, sideways gangster grip - get Crossflow and Hollywood Wheels here immediately....

[Nolar Dog]

It is a symbol of good luck and is also associated with homecoming and resurrection.

Often the swallow will be accompanied with nautical stars which are also linked with homecoming.

Early sailors received a swallow tattoo on each side of their chest to show they had covered 5000 miles at sea.

HTH

[chrisk]

Twincharged said:

Not sure about that underwear- can you imagine getting her back to your place, sitting her on the bed about to do the dirty deed and then you take her skirt off and that's staring up at you!

Edited by Twincharged on Sunday 7th December 12:08

That would be the last thing I would worry about if I got her back to my place!

She really should have waxed for the camera, under-carriage stubble shouldn't be flaunted.

[The Tea Boy]

jshell said:

Hold up, she's about to swallow a bullet - and, and, and she's using a relaxed, sideways gangster grip - get Crossflow and Hollywood Wheels here immediately....

[satchbot]

T_Pot said:

I was led to believe

one swallow, was a sign of being in prison for a short period. one on each hand, was someone who had served 10 years plus.

It's prison related. Done bird.

[largerandrock]

If there under 30 it means "im a chav"

[thehawk]

Yes, it's prison related.

One swallow means they are a bottom, 2 swallows means the are a top and bottom.

[Sam_68]

My father had one - ex-merchant navy officer, never been in prison - but I don't believe you have to provide a signed affadavit of either naval service or prison record before they'll give you one.

I'm guessing that plenty of people just like swallows.