--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only strange thing about Jackson was…" description: "\"“The only strange thing about Jackson was the tattoo on the inside of his forearm - a trident as dark as seared wood, with a single line underneath and..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/rick-riordan-27_humor_the-only-strange-thing-about-jackson-was_2651965.jpg" --- # The only strange thing about Jackson was the tattoo on the… ![“The only strange thing about Jackson was the tattoo on the inside of his forearm - a trident as dark as seared wood, with a single line underneath and the letters SPQR. He'd told me the letters stood for Sono Pazzi Quelli Romani - those Romans are crazy . I wasn't sure if he was kidding.” quote by Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/rick-riordan-27_humor_the-only-strange-thing-about-jackson-was_2651965.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/rick-riordan-27_humor_the-only-strange-thing-about-jackson-was_2651965.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/rick-riordan-27_humor_the-only-strange-thing-about-jackson-was_2651965.jpg) > ““The only strange thing about Jackson was the tattoo on the inside of his forearm - a trident as dark as seared wood, with a single line underneath and the letters SPQR. He'd told me the letters stood for Sono Pazzi Quelli Romani - those Romans are crazy . I wasn't sure if he was kidding.”” [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character’s odd tattoo hints at hidden identity and cultural references, adding mystery and humor. **In simple terms:** A strange tattoo reveals a secret and a joke. Key Takeaway Notice subtle details that reveal deeper backstory. Themes identity humor culture mystery Mood playful intriguing Type literary character When to use this quote - reading a novel - character analysis - designing a character - creating a mystery - interpreting symbols Key Concepts symbolism character development intertextuality Questions to Reflect On - What does the tattoo say about the character’s background? - How does humor affect the tone? A Different Perspective The tattoo may be a gimmick that distracts from core plot. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Magnus-chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magnus-chase/) [Percy jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/percy-jackson/) [Tattoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tattoo/) ## Related quotes > [“she had a tattoo on the inside: the letters SPQR, a crossed sword and torch, and under that, four parallel lines like score marks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/she-had-a-tattoo-on-the-inside-the-letters-spqr-a-crossed-sword-and/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“That awkward moment when you jump out a window because your friend jumped out a window, then you remember that your other friend can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/that-awkward-moment-when-you-jump-out-a-window-because-your-friend/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“So can I ask…?” I waved my hands vaguely. I didn’t have the words. “How it does work?” She smirked. “As long as you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/so-can-i-ask-i-waved-my-hands-vaguely-i-didn-t-have-the-words-how-it/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Pretty didn't do it justice. I felt like we'd sailed into a world meant for much larger beings, a place where gods and monsters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/pretty-didn-t-do-it-justice-i-felt-like-we-d-sailed-into-a-world/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Jack," I said, "why don't you go check on Sam?" Maybe you can advise her on getting through those doors. OR you could sing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/jack-i-said-why-don-t-you-go-check-on-sam-maybe-you-can-advise-her-on/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Standing on the yarndarm of the USS Constitution , looking down at Boston Harbor two hundred feet below, I wished I had the natural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/standing-on-the-yarndarm-of-the-uss-constitution-looking-down-at/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“From the hood of his car, he hefted a large green insulated pack - the kind Fadlan's Falafel used for deliveries. "This is for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/from-the-hood-of-his-car-he-hefted-a-large-green-insulated-pack-the/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“I love you," Amir told her. Samirah stumbled backwards like she'd been hit in the face with a giant eagle egg. Alex propped her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-love-you-amir-told-her-samirah-stumbled-backwards-like-she-d-been/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Somewhere off to my left, a little voice chirped: The redhead is smart. We can help. In a nearby tree sat a murder of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/somewhere-off-to-my-left-a-little-voice-chirped-the-redhead-is-smart/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“But I suppose if you're friends of Magnus's ..." He went completely still. His runes faded. Then he leaped out of my hand and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/but-i-suppose-if-you-re-friends-of-magnus-s-he-went-completely-still/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Those movies... ridiculously inaccurate. The real gods of Asgard — Thor, Loki, Odin, and the rest — are much more powerful, much more terrifying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/those-movies-ridiculously-inaccurate-the-real-gods-of-asgard-thor/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Suttung howled. His axe slipped from his hands, the heavy blade impaling itself in the skull of its owner. And that, kids, is why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/suttung-howled-his-axe-slipped-from-his-hands-the-heavy-blade/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Blitz and Hearth were almost at the shore when Alex stopped abruptly. I didn't have any energy left either, but I thought I should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/blitz-and-hearth-were-almost-at-the-shore-when-alex-stopped-abruptly/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Frey winced. "Hello, Sumarbrander. I didn't mean to ignore you." "Yeah, yeah. Well, Magnus here is going to get Bragi to write an epic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/frey-winced-hello-sumarbrander-i-didn-t-mean-to-ignore-you-yeah-yeah/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“In case you're wondering, Old York looks absolutely nothing like New York. It looks older. Magnus Chase, master of description. You're welcome.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/in-case-you-re-wondering-old-york-looks-absolutely-nothing-like-new/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) ## More by Rick Riordan > [“It made sense, and I felt kind of stupid. I’d been hanging around dryads”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/it-made-sense-and-i-felt-kind-of-stupid-i-d-been-hanging-around-dryads/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“That awkward moment when you jump out a window because your friend jumped out a window, then you remember that your other friend can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/that-awkward-moment-when-you-jump-out-a-window-because-your-friend/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Oh, dear Hazel.” Aphrodite folded her fan. “Such optimism, yet you have heartrending days ahead of you. Of course war is coming. Love and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/oh-dear-hazel-aphrodite-folded-her-fan-such-optimism-yet-you-have/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Kids, if anything, are harder to write for because they are a more discerning audience. They will not stay with you if you go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/kids-if-anything-are-harder-to-write-for-because-they-are-a-more/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“He started toward the entrance. Seriously, how could he not? He stopped when he noticed the girl. She was kneeling in her vegetable garden,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/he-started-toward-the-entrance-seriously-how-could-he-not-he-stopped/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Hercules used noise! Brass bells! He scared them away with the most horrible sound he could-" said Percy "Percy... Chiron's collection!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/hercules-used-noise-brass-bells-he-scared-them-away-with-the-most/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“When you take someone’s hand and lead them to Valhalla, you get a glimpse into their soul.” “Did that happen when you took me?”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/when-you-take-someone-s-hand-and-lead-them-to-valhalla-you-get-a/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“he didn’t look as good as Piper had last night after she’d suddenly been transformed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/he-didn-t-look-as-good-as-piper-had-last-night-after-she-d-suddenly/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [There’s my baby!” I cried, quite carried away. “There’s my Poochiekins!” Ammit ran at me and leaped into my arms, nuzzling me with his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/there-s-my-baby-i-cried-quite-carried-away-there-s-my-poochiekins/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Leo plunked the cheese wheel in front of me. "Cut me a wedge of this, my good ma. Chop-chop!" I scowled at him. "Don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/leo-plunked-the-cheese-wheel-in-front-of-me-cut-me-a-wedge-of-this-my/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [It's all still about having a good story. You have to have a good story as your anchor, as your main focus. So for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/it-s-all-still-about-having-a-good-story-you-have-to-have-a-good/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I disobeyed Ra's wishes, and so he ordered my onw father, Shu-" "Hang on," I said. "Shoe?" "S-h-u," she said. "The god of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-disobeyed-ra-s-wishes-and-so-he-ordered-my-onw-father-shu-hang-on-i/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Nico knelt and picked it up. He regarded Jason, as if waiting for an attack. "If the others found out-" "If the others found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/nico-knelt-and-picked-it-up-he-regarded-jason-as-if-waiting-for-an/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Wouldn't that put a twist in your toga?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/wouldn-t-that-put-a-twist-in-your-toga/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [ \[Hazel\] hissed in frustration. 'I hate eidolons. I thought Piper made them promise to stay away.' 'Oh...' Frank said, like he'd just had his… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/hazel-hissed-in-frustration-i-hate-eidolons-i-thought-piper-made-them/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) [Explore all 2,993 Rick Riordan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) ## More Humor quotes > ['Mad TV' is one of my most favorite shows of all time and is a huge part of my obsession with sketch comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-dawson/mad-tv-is-one-of-my-most-favorite-shows-of-all-time-and-is-a-huge/) [Shane Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-dawson/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [In my opinion, sexiness comes down to three things: chemistry, sense of humor, and treatment of waitstaff at restaurants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhoda-janzen/in-my-opinion-sexiness-comes-down-to-three-things-chemistry-sense-of/) [Rhoda Janzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhoda-janzen/) > [“...I haven't guessed where your shirt is from yet Bane, but I don't think it'll matter once it's underwater!' Tristan looked at Bane questioningly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-k-munt/i-haven-t-guessed-where-your-shirt-is-from-yet-bane-but-i-don-t-think/) S.K. Munt > [“Be careful about reading health books. Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/) Markus Herz > [“Not wise, perhaps, to be rude to the Pope's favorite son, but my viper tongue still required a fool now and then on which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-quinn/not-wise-perhaps-to-be-rude-to-the-pope-s-favorite-son-but-my-viper/) [Kate Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-quinn/) > [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [ “\[S\]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. (Once,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/s-ometimes-when-you-are-a-food-person-the-possible-irrelevance-of/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [If you were to send a werewolf to the moon, would he be a werewolf permanently?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-schaal/if-you-were-to-send-a-werewolf-to-the-moon-would-he-be-a-werewolf/) [Kristen Schaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-schaal/) > [“I only have two words to say More or Less”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timbur/i-only-have-two-words-to-say-more-or-less/) TimBur > [“ “Do Southerners laugh at different things than Northerners do? Yes, I say--Northerners.” Roy Blount, Jr., Roy Blount’s Book of Southern Humor”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-ford/do-southerners-laugh-at-different-things-than-northerners-do-yes-i/) [Deborah Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-ford/) > [There's a difference between delivering real funny and just silly funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-rel-howery/there-s-a-difference-between-delivering-real-funny-and-just-silly/) [Lil Rel Howery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-rel-howery/) > [I love being my silly ole self! Lifes a lot better when you have a good sense of humor and you smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-love-being-my-silly-ole-self-lifes-a-lot-better-when-you-have-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Men circle like bees around honey, buzzing to communicate their sexual despair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carla-h-krueger/men-circle-like-bees-around-honey-buzzing-to-communicate-their-sexual/) [Carla H Krueger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carla-h-krueger/) [Browse all 33,155 Humor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The only strange thing about Jackson was the tattoo on the inside of his forearm - a trident as dark as seared wood, with a single line underneath and the letters SPQR. He'd told me the letters stood for Sono Pazzi Quelli Romani - those Romans are crazy . I wasn't sure if he was kidding.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rick Riordan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/the-only-strange-thing-about-jackson-was-the-tattoo-on-the-inside-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Humor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/the-only-strange-thing-about-jackson-was-the-tattoo-on-the-inside-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/rick-riordan-27_humor_the-only-strange-thing-about-jackson-was_2651965.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/rick-riordan-27_humor_the-only-strange-thing-about-jackson-was_2651965.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/rick-riordan-27_humor_the-only-strange-thing-about-jackson-was_2651965.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The only strange thing about Jackson was the tattoo on the inside of his forearm - a trident as dark as…” — Rick Riordan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Rick Riordan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The only strange thing about Jackson...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/the-only-strange-thing-about-jackson-was-the-tattoo-on-the-inside-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/the-only-strange-thing-about-jackson-was-the-tattoo-on-the-inside-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```