Words up: A graffiti glossary

Bomb: To go out and paint an area, whether that means tagging, doing throw-ups or pieces.

Buff: Paint cover-up work by graffiti removal programs.

Crew: Group of writers who often tag their crew initials along with their name; crews are bound by geographical identity or a certain style of writing.

Dis: From "disrespect." In graff, it often means to paint over a rival writer's work.

Getting up: Tagging or piecing heavily to get notoriety and recognition.

Graff: Short for graffiti.

Hero: Private citizen who tries to stop graffiti painters.

Heavens: Freeway signs. Dangerous to paint on, and thus highly valued.

Piece: Short for masterpiece. The most ambitious form of graffiti, usually involving multiple colors and characters.

Tag: Most basic form of graffiti that involves a fast, stylized signature with marker or spray paint.

Tag-banger: Taggers with a violent gang mentality.

Throw-up: Between a tag and piece; the writer's name with stylized letters and filled in with one or two colors.

Writer: Someone who paints graffiti.