I am currently translating an English text, which itself has been translated from an originally Japanese text. Whenever there's something I don't understand in the English text, I try to translate the Japanese original directly into my target language (German).
However, in this case I don't understand what either version is supposed to mean.
Context: video game, on examining an election poster defaced by the rival party
Japanese original: 額に『肉』と書かれている。
English translation: Someone has scrawled "MEAT" across his forehead.
The English translation seems close enough, but I don't understand what it means. It's obviously intended as an insult, but what does 肉 mean when used on its own in this context? Is it a generic insult like e.g. "meathead", "idiot" etc. or does it have a more specific meaning? Or is it perhaps some sort of pun on a homophone?
UPDATE: Thank you all for your replies. Since I believe this would be lost in translation otherwise, I decided to go with a less literal translation: "His portrait is covered with childish scribbles."
