(HL-예술/취미/종교) Tattoos Surge in Popularity

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Soccer star David Beckham, voted “Sexiest Man Alive” by People magazine, has more than 40 of them. Actress Reese Witherspoon has an image of a star with blue swallows. Even the British Prime Minister’s wife, Samantha Cameron, has one decorating her ankle. Tattoos are no longer the sign of a sailor, soldier or criminal. They are wildly popular. In America today, lots of people are getting tattoos — especially younger people. Forty percent of men and women aged 26 to 40 have at least one tattoo, according to Astanza, a laser technology company. As a result, the American tattoo business is booming. In 1960, there were only about 50 professional tattoo artists in the United States, reported The Atlantic. By 1995, that number had soared to over 10,000. Today, IBISWorld reports there are almost 55,000 people working as tattoo artists in the U.S.
* swallow = 제비/ prime minister = 수상/ decorate = 장식하다, 꾸미다/ sailor = 선원, 뱃사람/ criminal = 범죄자/ wildly = 극도로; 미친 듯이, 걷잡을 수 없이/ as a result = 결과적으로/ boom = 호황을 맞다/ tattoo artist = 문신 시술자/ soar to ~ = ~까지 급상승하다    

In Britain, tattoos are also surging in popularity. The Guardian reported that a fifth of all British adults have been “inked” – another term for being tattooed. Celebrities have popularized tattoos. Actress Angelina Jolie had Thai tattoo master Sompong Kanphai ink a large image of a tiger on her back. David Beckham has several tattoos that are tributes to his wife and children. He told People that “Dream big, be unrealistic,” written on his right knuckles, is one of his favorites.   
* surge = 급등[급증]하다/ a fifth of ~ = ~의 5분의 1/ be inked = 문신을 새기다/ another term for ~ = ~의 대명사(용어)/ popularize = 대중화하다/ tribute to ~  = ~에 대한 감사, 경의의 표시/ knuckle = 손가락 관절[마디]

Tattoos Surge in Popularity - WTS.mp3