Street
ink
What does ink mean?
Tattoos, especially those done inside prison with improvised equipment.
"He came out with a lot more ink than he went in with."
Origin
General slang for tattoos, from tattoo ink.
Frequently asked questions
What does ink mean as slang?
Ink is slang for tattoos, and in prison it especially refers to tattoos done inside with improvised equipment.
Where does the slang ink come from?
It comes straight from tattoo ink, the pigment used, which stood in for the tattoos themselves in everyday speech.
Is ink used only in prison?
No, 'ink' is general slang for tattoos everywhere, but it carries extra weight inside where tattoos are often made with homemade gear.
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