this post was submitted on 23 May 2026
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Don't know if this breaks the rules but in the ots why were tramp stamps so popular? Meaning the were used to signify a woman who gets around? Were other tattoos like this in history? (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 months ago by Patnou@lemmy.world to c/askhistorians@lemmy.world
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[–] BCsven@lemmy.ca 4 points 3 months ago

They didn't start as a way to signify women that got around, but as any stereo type starts: you take a handful sample and come to a conclusion that applies to all.

You often saw the rough looking (booze and cigarettes taking its toll) party life ladies displaying the tattoo in everyday scenarios.

You occasionally saw somebody that looked cleancut have them too.

The rest were probably hidden by higher rise clothing.

So a stereotype starts, and a catchy rhyming term to go with it.