Submitted by S.P. Sullivan:
The tattoo is Kurt Vonnegut’s trademark “backdoor.”
I got this when I turned eighteen because I wanted to do something stupid and impulsive, but not entirely uncharacteristic of me. My father introduced me to Vonnegut; the first thing he said when he saw it was “you know that’s a sphincter, right?”
I’ve grown tired of explaining it to people, mostly because they usually look at me like I’m insane. So, when asked, I inquire to the inquirer, “Have you read Vonnegut?” If yes, it’s relatively easy to explain. If no, I just say it’s an asterisk and leave it at that. I’m often asked if it’s a botched attempt at the Red Hot Chile Peppers logo. So it goes.
Based on Kurt Vonnegut’s infamous asshole doodle, first appearing in Breakfast of Champions
Oh hey! It's Wal-Mart's new logo.
I recently got a Vonnegut tattoo myself, and your mention of the RHCP logo is the very reason I steered clear of the "asterisk" drawing. But at least it makes sense to everyone who'd actually care about it, right?
Andy, what'd you get?
Why, you shall see. I'm submitting it as we speak.
if it makes you feel any better, i immediately knew what this was. and i have considered getting a similar tattoo.
Haha okay Andy. I've been thinking about getting some form of the asterisk too, that's why I was asking.
Hahahaha brilliant!
I'd love to get a Vonnegut tattoo myself… but I don't have the money. I know what I want, it's just the funds are running a titch low.
this is amazing. breakfast of champions was the first vonnegut i read and he had me at asshole.
I like the literary reference.