Disclaimer:
Tagger is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
The information in this book is meant to supplement one's understanding of graffiti writers. Like any activity involving speed, equipment, balance or environmental factors, graffiti poses some inherent risks. The author and publisher assume no liability nor do they encourage readers to do, see, visit, or try any of the activities or actions discussed in this book. The book is intended for background information only and may not be reliable after press time. There are dangerous moments in this fictitious story, ones not to be emulated or encouraged in real life.
Tagger Glossary
B
bamba: a foot-tapping song by Richie Valens
barrio : neighborhood
basura: trash
buffers: people who remove graffiti
C
cabrón: bastard; son of a bitch
cajónes: balls; no fear
cara mia: my beloved" (Ital.)
carnal : close friend; brother
catch slippin': caught off guard
chale: no way
chavalito: young boy
chica: young woman; girl
cholo: gang member; mestizo
claro: of course
con papas: with potatoes
cuete: gun
D
dinero: money
diss: to put someone down; disrespect
E
entendistes?: do you understand?
escuchame: listen to me
ése: dude; guy; man
F
fat caps: fat spray paint caps for graffiti writers
firme: cool (as in "hip"); good
flaco: skinny
G
gabacho: very insulting term for a white person
giraffiti: graffiti painted in a very high spot
H
hasta luego: see you later
hermano, hermanito: brother, little brother
H (continued)
hijo: son
homes, homie, homeboy: a friend from one's barrio with a strong loyalty toward
hyna: a girl, a girlfriend, a honey
jefe: boss
K
klika: gang or social set
L
la vida loca: gang life; the crazy life
listo: ready
loco, loca: crazy
lo maximo: the maximum
M
'mano: brother, abbreviated version
me llamo: my name is
miedo: fear
mierda: shit
mi'jo, mi'ja: my son, my daughter. It's also a term of endearment for a younger
person by an elder
muevese: move it!
N
novia: girlfriend
P
pachuco: Mexican-Americans who are "old school" – speak Calo, lowrider culture
packin': carrying a gun
payaso: clown
pendejo: stupid; dumbass
pinche: damned or goddamned
pinta: jail
placaso: a person's or a gang's graffiti tag (signature)
primo: best friend; first-rate (adj)
pulga: flea
puta: whore
Q
que tal? How's it going? What's up?
R
ranchera: Mexican country music, lots of horns and guitars
ranfla: lowrider car
ranker: one who looks, acts, hangs with gang members, but won't do tough stuff
rata: snitch; rat
ruco: my "old man"
S
scratchitti: graffiti where a tagger uses a sharp object to scratch message into the
surface
simón: yeah
soldado: soldier
T
throwies, throw-ups: a type of graffiti usually with a one-color outline and one layer of fill-color. It's designed for quick execution to avoid drawing attention to the tagger.
tío, tía: uncle, aunt
tips: graffiti can nozzles
toy: a person who doesn't have spray can control, no style, is not up anywhere, and
generally does crappy work
V
vato: dude, guy, man
verdad: true
veterano: Old School gang member
viejo: old
W
wack: lame, sorry ass, a worthless idea
YOU ARE READING
Tagger
Mystery / ThrillerOne cannot answer for his courage when he has never been in danger. - François de la Rochefoucauld, Maxims drive-by shooting. small city. big mistake. hunt down those responsible. now. Jaime (Kimo) Flores struggles to k...
