Rihanna's Tattoo Typo: Lost in Translation

By John Mitchell Posted Aug 12th 2010 11:06AM

Whoops! Looks like Rihanna should have consulted your high school French teacher before getting her latest tattoo. The music superstar's newest ink reads "rebelle fleur," but someone forgot to tell the 'Rude Boy' singer that in French, adjectives typically follow the nouns they modify. To translate as "rebel flower," which we assume is what she intended, that tattoo should read "fleur rebelle."

But Rihanna isn't the first star to find herself stuck with a permanent stamp of linguistic inaccuracy. Just ask Hayden Panettiere and Coolio.

Panettiere got "Vivere senza rimipianti" -- Italian for "to live without regrets" -- tattooed down the left side of her back. However, she forgot to break out the dizionario Italiano (that's an Italian dictionary), because "rimipianti" (regrets) is correctly spelled "rimpianti." Somehow, an extra "I" found its way into Hayden's tattoo.

And as for Coolio ... well, he was just trying to be a nice guy. Doing his best to show his support for tour mates Insane Clown Posse, the rapper tattooed "Jugalo Cool" on his bicep as an homage to ICP's fans, who refer to themselves as "juggalos." For his part, Coolio told TMZ that the typo was on purpose and that he has no intention of fixing it.

We still think Rihanna takes the cake on this one, though. After all, her grammatical folly is right there on her neck for everyone to see.

Tags: coolio, Rihanna

Comments

(94)

Thursday 12 August

By fentex5

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DUMB!

By Wil

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actually rebelle fleur is grammatically correct. the author gets it right when he states that in french the adjective typically follows the noun. however, this grammar rule has many exceptions. also rebelle fleur sounds prettier than fleur rebelle so riri has that poetic license. this article is sort of pointless.

By Lisha

Yes, it should be 'fleur rebelle' if you only mean rebellious flower BUT rebelle fleur is a 'jeu de mots' (literal translation : game of words) 'belle' meaning 'beautiful'. Quite clever, actually!

By mlepps72

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I remember when the only women who got tatoos were biker chicks and gangbangers . . . now everyone thinks tattoos are a cute accessory . .. in my opinion they still make you look rough and don't look good with formal dresses . . . but that's just my upbringing and opinion . . .

Excuse my grammar . . .I meant "doesn't look good with formal dresses . . . LOL . . whew . . long day!

By John Paul

No, you had it correct the first time. You used "they" in your sentence. They don't look good, not they doesn't look good.

Saturday 14 August

Thanks Paul . . . LOL

By CAROL

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There is NOTHING exciting, sexy or wonderful about a tattoo!!!!
Putting tattoos on your body and piercings anywhere other than one
in each ear is revolting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DISGUSTING!!

By carol

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Anyone dumb enough to have ANYTHING written on their neck or ANY BODY part shouldn't be expected to be smart enough to spell in any language.

By Christopher Hacke

Isn't it getting ridiculous, all those black athletes and entertainers getting tattoos. On their black skin which is ofted even difficult to read. It's just being cool - which for you language buffs is English for "stupid", regardless of what the dictionary says. I suppose they will fade as age overtakes their faces and skin.

By Ally

Tattoos are only as trashy as the person wearing them. I have seen woman with a full back of tattoos looking ten times more glamourous than some girl with the same old ugly tramp stamp.

Now if Lady Gaga got the tattoo, would this be a different story?

By salmo60

Tattoos are synonymous with low self esteem! At age 20, its "OH OH, look at my new tats". Age 45, "what the f*ck did I get these stupid tattoos for"!

By Susan

About 30 years ago I went to an open call that was being held for models locally in my area. The first words out of the representatives mouth were "If you have any tatoo no matter where you can leave right now." So I left. Things sure have changed.

By Joe Papierz Jr

I have always been disappointed when friends or loved ones get tatoos. I've always believed we were made in God's image and I think the most difficult question to answer of all time would be: "I made you in My image. Wasn't that good enough for you?".

By jsach

Actually, according to French grammar, if you place the adjective in front of the noun, it places more emphasis on the adjective. So the translation would be something like "really rebellious flower". Her tattoo is not grammatically incorrect. And btw the whole article seems pretty petty and snarky.

Friday 13 August

By Laurie

no clue what she was thinking,,or IF she was thinking,,,,I am from the old school,,,tats are for Bikers or people in the armed forces

By bobbie

Nice. Bikers and people in the armed services in the same category? (sarcasm) It may interest you to know there are people who are proud members of both groups.

By MeWeirdo

I have a tattoo of a mouse one my stomach, wanna see it? Dang, my kittie ate it!!

By peapers

Hasn't this tattoo fad run it's course yet? People with tattoos need to go check out the tattoo their grandfather has from WWII and see what a mess it is. Stage one thinking seems to be the blight of human history.

By Julie

I am so tired of people doting on these stupid celebrities. So she got a tattoo, BFD!

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