'I got a pineapple tattoo and was horrified to learn what it meant'

The next time you eat a pineapple chunk after your lunch, you might want to consider the unforeseen consequences of such a seemingly innocent act, especially if you do it where strangers might be watching. It seems that pineapples harbour a secret meaning that most of us were oblivious to - and it could lead to some seriously blush-inducing scenarios.

The hidden symbolism of the exotic fruit, which is celebrated on International Pineapple Day today (June 27), was unveiled by Brittany Lewin on TikTok, following her decision to get a chic pineapple tattoo on her forearm. She thought nothing of her fresh inking until a friend urged her to research the "hidden code" she had inadvertently etched into her skin.

When her arm is lifted, Brittany's tat appears upside-down. Much to her shock, she learnt that inverted pineapples are apparently a secret code swingers use to identify one another.

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Swinging is a lifestyle of consensual non-monogamous encounters where individuals or couples engage in intimate relations with others, often organising social gatherings to enable such encounters. And who would have guessed - upside-down pineapples are used to signal to others that you're part of the swinging community.

What's more, if you spot a pineapple on someone's porch or letterbox, it might just be a discreet indicator that a swinging party is in full, erm, swing, within those walls.

Brittany was gobsmacked to discover the hidden meaning behind her tattoo, only realising her blunder after a mate pointed it out. In her TikTok clip, she quipped: "When you realise you've made a mistake."

The woman also posted the exchange with her friend, who cheekily enquired if her ink was an upside-down pineapple, before suggesting a quick internet search might be enlightening.

Her mate chuckled: "It's still going to make me giggle. I only just found out what an upside-down pineapple means."

Brittany, in a fluster, replied: "Wait, what? Googling right now."

While Brittany was clueless about her tattoo's risqué connotation, her followers admitted they knew all along and had just never said anything, with many pondering if she was in on the joke.

One follower remarked: "I've thought this every video I've seen of you. I just thought 'each to their own'."

Another added: "Every time I saw your tattoo, I thought to myself, 'does she know?'".

While a third commented: "I always thought you and your partner were just into some extra fun stuff. I'm sad that you didn't actually know."

So, next time you're eyeing up a pineapple at the supermarket or fancy a pineapple-themed top for your holiday, remember the saucy signal you could be unwittingly sending!