October 31, 2004, 18:15
CaterwaullerGraffiti
What do you call it when the building has received graffiti?
Would it have gotten graffitied?
October 31, 2004, 18:51
Hic et ubiqueVery interesting question, CW. I've never heard of any such word, but on checking the news it seems to be used reasonably often. The example I particularly liked is from Kate Clinton in the current issue of
The Progressive. She writes, "
At kiosks and bus stops all over New York, there are posters for the movie Resident Evil: Apocalypse. And almost on every poster, someone has graffitied a very tasteful P at the beginning of the first word."
October 31, 2004, 18:54
CaterwaullerMostly I've just wanted to use the F-word . . . but it's good to know graffitied works.
October 31, 2004, 22:28
tinmanquote:
Originally posted by Caterwauller:
Mostly I've just wanted to use the F-word . . .
Tagged is the slang word for it. Your word would make an appropriate adverb.
Tinman
November 01, 2004, 02:55
CaterwaullerAH! I should have known that! I've heard it in use often enough.
Thanks, Tinster!
My library was tagged on Friday. Ugh.
November 02, 2004, 19:39
KallehI love the "Usage Notes" in the AHD.
Graffiti has a usage note because it is a plural noun in Italian, with
graffito being the singular form. Much like
data are, you should say
graffiti are, though the AHD acknowledges that it may sound pedantic. Does anyone call the singular of
graffiti, "graffito" (meaning a particular inscription)?
November 02, 2004, 20:32
jheem Does anyone call the singular of graffiti, "graffito" (meaning a particular inscription)?I do, K., but it's only for pedantry's sake.

November 02, 2004, 22:34
Richard EnglishI use graffito - as do the better newspapers over here. It is not, though, all that common since most instances of "tagging" are multiple graffiti not a single graffito.