The universality of tattooing is a curious subject for speculation. – James Cook, 1779

There is no “underground” community, no dark den of drunken sailors initiating themselves into manhood via cheap, ill-conceived exercises in bodily perforation; it’s just a group of people who delight in using their bodies as billboards. – Joanne McCubrey, “Walking Art: Tattoos,” Mountain Democrat Weekend magazine, 199

Louie brought his new girlfriend over, and the nicest thing I can say about her is all her tattoos are spelled correctly. – Robert Harling, Steel Magnolias