1. A drawing or inscription made on a wall or other surface; usually, so as to be seen by other people.
2. Etymology: This is the plural of Italian graffito, “an inscription scratched on rocks or walls or on artifacts made of plaster, stone, or clay”.

Many writers agree that graffito came from Greek graphein, “to scratch”.

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Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

Here is a list of Graffiti Statements for you to enjoy which once appeared in U.S. newspapers.

• The more useless the antique the higher its value.
• It's difficult to soar like an eagle if you work with turkeys.
• It's cheaper to hear the patter of little feet than the stomping of $40 boots.
• A lot of overnight packages are delivered like there's no tomorrow.
• The credibility gap is the one between the nose and the chin.
• A genealogist traces your family tree as far back as your money goes.
• Two can live as cheaply as one, if they're both working.
• Stop pollution or the future will be a thing of the past.
• Bigamy: two rites making a wrong.
• The light bulb was Edison's bright idea.
• The worst thing about kitchen accidents is that you have to eat them.
• We need a pesticide for litterbugs.
• The only substitute for intelligence is silence.
• Gossip or news depends on who's telling and who's listening.
• Many people get unlimited mileage out of a limited vocabulary.
• Over eating makes you thick to your stomach.
• Talk softly, you never know when you may have to eat your words.
• Most 1st graders think V comes after T in the alphabet.
• History repeats itself 'cause no one listens the first time.
• Don't criticize your boss' judgment--look who he hired.
• For every person who can't read, there are two who won't.
• Walking is good for your health--but in some neighborhoods, running saves your life.
• A ventriloquist is a comedian who tells jokes without moving his lips.
• If you can keep your head when all those around you are losing theirs, you don't understand the situation.
• Observation, not old age, brings wisdom.