toy
n.— «The joke’s apparently on Andy, because the guys who got busted are what’s known as “toys” in the world of graffiti artistry. That is, they aren’t even respected by “serious” graffitists, the majority of whom around here (unlike places like Los Angeles) are hardly gangbangers themselves. See, part of the game’s not getting caught, and these rookies have no cred among those who are really into putting art on buildings. (The graffiti artist’s code is to only draw on public buildings or private ones that house schools or businesses. Brophy would qualify.)» —“Tag, You’re It” by Robrt L. Pela Phoenix New Times (Arizona) May 11, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
National Book Award winner Barry Lopez had wise advice for young writers. First, read widely and follow your curiosity. Second, travel or learn a foreign language. And third, find out what you truly believe, because if you’re not writing from...
Many of us struggled with the Old English poem “Beowulf” in high school. But what if you could actually hear “Beowulf” in the English of today? There’s a new translation by Maria Dahvana Headley that uses contemporary...