zombienoun
Factsheet
What does the noun zombie mean?
There are nine meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun zombie. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
zombie has developed meanings and uses in subjects including
How common is the noun zombie?
| 1830 | 0.00009 |
| 1840 | 0.00007 |
| 1850 | 0.00009 |
| 1860 | 0.0001 |
| 1870 | 0.0002 |
| 1880 | 0.0003 |
| 1890 | 0.0003 |
| 1900 | 0.0047 |
| 1910 | 0.0071 |
| 1920 | 0.018 |
| 1930 | 0.035 |
| 1940 | 0.057 |
| 1950 | 0.1 |
| 1960 | 0.19 |
| 1970 | 0.29 |
| 1980 | 0.49 |
| 1990 | 0.69 |
| 2000 | 0.8 |
| 2010 | 0.92 |
How is the noun zombie pronounced?
British English
U.S. English
Caribbean English
Where does the noun zombie come from?
Earliest known use
late 1700s
The earliest known use of the noun zombie is in the late 1700s.
OED's earliest evidence for zombie is from 1788, in Universal Magazine.
zombie is of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French Creole. Partly a borrowing from French.
Etymons: French Creole zombi; French zombi.
Nearby entries
- -zoite, comb. form
- zol, n.1946–
- Zolaesque, adj.1886–
- Zolaism, n.1882–
- Zolaist, n.1886–
- Zolaize, v.1886–
- Zollinger–Ellison syndrome, n.1956–
- Zöllner, n.1890–
- zollverein, n.1843–
- zolotnik, n.1783–
- zombie, n.1788–
- zombie apocalypse, n.1982–
- zombied, adj.1972–
- zombie-esque, adj.1946–
- zombie-like, adj. & adv.1932–
- zombie worm, n.2005–
- zombification, n.1968–
- zombified, adj.1965–
- zombify, v.1950–
- zombocalypse, n.2007–
- zomboid, adj.1963–
Etymology
Summary
Notes
- 1760
He ordered likewise some soldiers to walk before it [sc. a crucifix] and to proclaim aloud to the army, that it was the Zambi, or God, of the [Angolan] queen.
Modern Part of Universal History vol. XVI. 229 (note) - 1819
Zombi, the title whereby he was called, is the name for the Deity, in the Angolan tongue. [footnote NZambi is the word for Deity.]
R. Southey, History of Brazil vol. III. xxxi. 24
Meaning & use
- I.The ghost or spirit of a dead person; a reanimated corpse, or a being likened to or resembling one.
- I.1.1788–In parts of the Caribbean (esp. Haiti) and the southern United States: the ghost or spirit of a dead person, esp. a malevolent one. Cf. zumbi n., jumbie n., duppy n. Now rare.In early use frequently in French contexts, esp. in translations from French.
- 1788
Some supposed that the Zombies had carried him off [French que les Zombis l'avoient enlevé]. [footnote] The Zombies make a great figure in the superstition of the Negroes. Like the Larvæ of the antients, they are supposed to be the spirits of dead wicked men, that are permitted to wander, and torment the living.
Universal Magazine September 117/1 - 1838
In distinguishing the voice of a human being his terror of zombies was dissipated.
La Belle Assemblée April 351/2 - 1924
A sudden gust of horror as the (demon) zombi passes.
New York Times 6 January (Book Review section) 21/5 - 1979
Zombies were black shapeless things. They could get through a locked door and you heard them walking up to your bed. You didn't see them, you felt their hairy hands round your throat.
J. Rhys, Smile Please 30
- ghostOld English–The soul or spirit of a dead person or animal, conceived of as appearing in visible form or otherwise manifesting in the physical world, typically…
- hueOld English–1603concrete. An apparition, a phantasm. Obsolete.
- soulOld English–The disembodied spirit of a deceased person (or occasionally an animal) regarded as a separate entity and invested with some degree of…
- fantasyc1325–1583A spectral apparition, phantom; an illusory appearance. Obs.
- spiritc1350–An incorporeal, supernatural, rational being, of a type usually regarded as imperceptible to humans but capable of becoming visible at will, and…
- phantomc1384–A thing (usually with human form) that appears to the sight or other sense, but has no material substance; an apparition, a spectre, a ghost. Also…
- phantasmc1430–An apparition, spirit, or ghost; a visible but incorporeal being. Now archaic and rare.
- haunterc1440–One who or that which haunts, in various senses; a frequenter.
- shadowa1464–A spectral form, phantom; = shade, n. II.6.
- appearance1488–That which appears without being material; a phantom or apparition.
- wraith1513–An apparition or spectre of a dead person; a phantom or ghost.
- hag1538–1637A frightening apparition or creature, esp. a ghost. Obsolete.
- spoorn1584–1790A special kind of spectre or phantom.
- vizarda1591A phantasm or spectre. Obsolete. rare.
- life-in-death1593–A condition of being or seeming to be neither alive nor dead, a phantom state between life and death; (in extended use) something having the form or…
- phantasma1598–= phantasm, n. (in various senses).
- umbra1601–The shade of a deceased person; a phantom or ghost. Also figurative.
- larve1603–= larva, n. 1.
- spectre1605–An apparition, phantom, or ghost, esp. one of a terrifying nature or aspect.
- spectrum1611–An apparition or phantom; a spectre.
- idolon1612–A non-material image of a person or thing; esp. a mental image, visualization, or conception.
- apparitiona1616–spec. An immaterial appearance as of a real being; a spectre, phantom, or ghost. (The ordinary current sense.)
- shadea1616–A spectre, phantom. rare.
- shapea1616–concrete. An imaginary, spectral, or ethereal form; a phantom. Now rare.
- showa1616–1841A phantom, a vision, an apparition. Obsolete.
- larva1651–A disembodied spirit; a ghost, hobgoblin, spectre. Obsolete exc. Historical.
- white hat?1693Newfoundland. The name of a spirit or ghost. Obsolete. rare.
- zumbi1704–Chiefly in West and South-west African (esp. Angolan) contexts: the ghost or spirit of a dead person, esp. a malevolent one. Occasionally also Car…
- jumbie1764–The ghost or spirit of a dead person, esp. a malevolent one. Cf. duppy, n., zombie, n. I.1.
- duppy1774–A name among black West Indians for a ghost or spirit.
- waff1777–An apparition, wraith. = waft, n.¹ 7.
- zombie1788–In parts of the Caribbean (esp. Haiti) and the southern United States: the ghost or spirit of a dead person, esp. a malevolent one. Cf. zumbi, n., j…
- Wild Huntsman1796–A phantom huntsman of Teutonic legend, fabled to ride at night through the fields and woods with shouts and baying of hounds.
- spook1801–A spectre, apparition, ghost. Often somewhat jocular or colloquial.
- ghostie1810–A ghost.
- hantua1811–An evil spirit, a ghost.
- preta1811–The disembodied soul of a dead person, esp. before the completion of funeral rites and ceremonies allowing it to leave the world of humans as an…
- bodach1814–A peasant, churl; also (Scottish) a spectre.
- revenant1823–A person who returns from the dead; a reanimated corpse; a ghost. Also figurative.
- death-fetch1826–a. An apparition or double of a living person that is superstitiously believed to portend the person's death; b. a spirit supposed to come and…
- sowlth1829–A formless, luminous spectre. Chiefly in the writings of W. B. Yeats.
- kehua1839–The spirit of a dead person; a ghost.
- haunt1843–U.S. regional and English regional. A spirit supposed to haunt a place; a ghost. Also (occasionally) in wider use.
- night-bat1847–a. Caribbean (Barbados and Guyana) a bat; b. now literary a ghost, a bogey; c. chiefly Jamaican, a large night-flying moth.
- spectrality1850–A phantasm; ghostliness.
- thivish1852–A ghost, apparition, or spectre.
- beastie1867–Originally Scottish. A frightening supernatural creature or spirit; a ghost, hobgoblin, or bogey; a monster.
- ghost soul1869–(In the context of spiritualism and shamanism) the soul of a human or animal that animates the body but can exist and travel separately from it, as…
- barrow-wight1891–A mound of earth or stones erected in early times over a grave; a grave-mound, a tumulus. Also attributive as barrow-wight n. (see quot. 1891); so…
- resurrect1892A person who has risen from the dead.
- waft1897–An apparition, wraith. Cf. waff, n. 5.
- churel1901–In India, the ghost of a woman who has died in child-birth, believed to haunt lonely places malevolently and to spread disease.
- comeback1908–A person who has returned; (also) a ghost. rare.
- I.2.a.1928–Esp. in parts of the Caribbean (esp. Haiti) and the southern United States: a soulless corpse said to have been revived by witchcraft.The concept of the zombie was popularized by U.S. writer and explorer W. B. Seabrook (1884–1945), particularly in the book The Magic Island (1929), and slightly later by the film White Zombie (1932), which was based on this book.
- 1928
A ‘Zombie’—perhaps a real one; perhaps just a demented old man—believed by Haitian peasants to have been exhumed after death, revivified by sorcery and put to work as a slave in the fields.
W. B. Seabrook in Sunday State Journal (Lincoln, Nebraska) 25 March iii. 1c/2 (caption) - 1966
Luckily no one dared move on the roads at night; it was the hour when only zombies worked or else the Tontons Macoute.
G. Greene, Comedians i. iv. 104 - 1984
A zombie, as every schoolboy knows, is a person who has been killed and raised from the dead by sinister voodoo priests called bocors.
Times 26 January 12/6 - 2010
The zombie in Haiti is a victim—deserving of pity more than fear. Without any recollection of its past or hope for the future, the zombie exists only in the present of its exploitation.
K. L. Glover, Haiti Unbound ii. ii. 59
- carrionc1460–83= Applied to a dead person or corpse that ‘walks’ or returns to earth. Obsolete.
- zombie1928–Esp. in parts of the Caribbean (esp. Haiti) and the southern United States: a soulless corpse said to have been revived by witchcraft.
- ogbanje1976–In Nigeria: a child believed by the Igbo people to die repeatedly and be continually reincarnated and born to the same parents. Also: a reincarnated…
- I.2.b.1970–In horror films, books, etc.: a reanimated corpse, typically portrayed as a creature capable of movement but not rational thought, with an insatiable hunger for human flesh or brains. Also occasionally in extended use with reference to similar mindless creatures.Now the most common sense.
- 1970
The countryside is overrun with these murderous zombies—evidently corpses revived by radiation from a rocket abortively shot to Venus.
Monthly Film Bulletin January 8/2 - 1984
Zombies in white-face drifted across the screen, masticating bratwurstlike strings of human intestine.
T. C. Boyle, Budding Prospects (1985) i. i. 4 - 1996
The zombies can only by killed by disgusting, brain-spattering blows to the head.
St. Louis (Missouri) Post-Dispatch (Nexis) 14 June e3 - 2011
What's that lurking in the shadows? A ghoul? A goblin? A flesh-eating zombie?
FourFourTwo October 28/4
- I.3.a.1936–figurative. colloquial. A dull, apathetic, unresponsive, or unthinkingly acquiescent person. Also as a general term of disparagement.
- 1936
Any performer [in a film] not a Caucasian is a zombie.
H. L. Mencken, American Language (ed. 4) xi. 587 - 1946
They've spent their lives starving their imagination, just starving it to death. And now they're zombies.
J. B. Priestley, Bright Day xi. 329 - 1981
They'll give us electric shocks... They'll give us pills and make us zombies.
P. Carey, Bliss iv. 156 - 2016
We're all self-medicated, middle-class zombies.
Sunday Telegraph (Nexis) 24 July (Business section) 12
the mind operation of the mind lack of understanding stupid, foolish, or confused person stupid person, dolt, blockhead [nouns]- assOld English–A foolish or stupid person. Now chiefly British colloquial and somewhat dated. Cf. silly ass, n.
- sotOld English–1742A foolish or stupid person; a fool, blockhead, dolt. Obsolete.
- beastc1225–A brutal, cruel, or wicked person. In early use also: †a stupid or foolish person (obsolete). Cf. brute, n.¹ B.2.
- long-ear?a1300–In singular and (usually) plural. A hare or rabbit.
- stock1303–As the type of what is lifeless, motionless, or void of sensation. Hence, a senseless or stupid person.
- buzzard1377–figurative. A worthless, stupid, or ignorant person. Often with the adjective blind; also used euphemistically = bastard, n. A.I.2a.
- mis-feelinga1382A foolish or senseless person.
- dasarta1400A dazed, stupefied, or inert person; a dullard; = dasiberd, n., dastard, n. A.1.
- stonea1400–transferred and figurative. Something resembling stone or a stone. In figurative sense, chiefly as the supposed substance of a ‘hard’ heart; also…
- dottlec1400–A foolish or stupid person; (also) an elderly person whose mental faculties are impaired.
- doddypoll1401–1767A stupid person; blockhead, fool.
- Jack foolc1405–= tomfool, n.
- dastardc1440–1552One inert or dull of wit, a dullard; a sot. Obsolete.
- dotterel1440–A foolish or stupid person; (more usually) an elderly person whose mental faculties are impaired. Now rare (Scottish and English regional (chiefly nor…
- dullardc1440–A dull or stupid person; a dolt, dunce.
- wantwit1449–A person who lacks good sense; a foolish or witless person. Cf. lackwit, n.
- dasiberdc1450–1500A stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton.
- jobardc1475–A stupid person, a fool.
- nollc1475–1600With depreciative adjective: a person of a specified kind. Obsolete.
- drivel1478–1600A person lacking in intelligence; a fool, an imbecile.
- idiotc1480–Frequently derogatory. A person who speaks or acts in what the speaker considers an irrational way, or with extreme stupidity or foolishness.
- assheada1500–A stupid or foolish person; an idiot. Cf. ass, n.¹ 2.
- mulea1500–In extended use, of a person. gen. A person having a quality characteristic of or associated with mules, esp. a stupid, obstinate, or physically…
- John Blunt?1507(Perhaps) a generic name for a dull, stupid person; cf. Jack Blunt, n.
- peak1509–80A silly or foolish person; a dolt, a fool. Also peak-hoddy, peak-noddy.
- dulbert?a1513–A dull or stupid person; one slow of comprehension.
- doddy-patec1525= doddypoll, n.
- noddypolla1529–98A fool, a simpleton.
- blockhead1532–A stupid or foolish person; an idiot. Cf. block, n.¹ I.i.1c, I.i.1d. Now colloquial.
- hammer-head1532–A head, likened to a hammer; a blockhead. (Cf. beetle-head, n.) Obsolete.
- grosshead1533–1606A stupid or foolish person; an idiot. Cf. fat-head, n.² 1.
- nidiot1533–An idiot, a fool.
- dull-head?1534–1624A dull-headed or slow-witted person; a fool, a blockhead.
- capon1542–As a type of dullness, and a term of reproach.
- hare-brain1542–1670One who has a brain like a hare's, or no more brain than a hare; a giddy or reckless person. Obsolete.
- dolt1543–A dull, stupid fellow; a blockhead, numskull.
- cod's head1549–A stupid or silly person, a fool, a blockhead. Now archaic.
- mome1550–A fool, a dolt. Also in extended use.
- grout-head1551–1650A blockhead, thickhead, dunce.
- gander1553–figurative. A dull or stupid person; a fool, simpleton.
- skit-brains?1553–attributive and in other combinations, as skit-brains, skit-brained, in opprobrious use.
- blocka1556–1912figurative. A person likened to a log or piece of wood in lacking intelligence; a blockhead. Also: a person likened to a log or piece of wood in…
- calfa1556–transferred. Applied to human beings: A stupid fellow, a dolt; sometimes a meek inoffensive person. Also as a term of endearment. Essex calf n. a…
- hare-copa1566? = hare-brain, n.
- tomfool1565–Usually with capital initial(s). As a proper noun, used as the type of a foolish, stupid, or half-witted person.
- dunce1567–A person who is slow at learning or of low intelligence; a stupid, dim-witted person; an idiot. (Now the usual sense.)
- John Cheesea1568(Perhaps) a fool, an idiot; a contemptible person.
- druggard1569–1733Perhaps: (as a term of contempt) = druggle, n. Obsolete.
- cobble1570(See quot. 1570: perhaps not the same word.) Obsolete.
- dummel1570–A stupid, foolish, or sluggish person; a slow, sluggish, or worn-out animal. Also: †a person who is unable to speak (obsolete).
- Essex calf1573–The name of an English county, occurring attributively in Essex board (see quot. 1933); Essex calf (literally a calf reared in Essex), formerly…
- jolthead1573–A heavy-headed or thick-headed person; a blockhead. Also attributive.
- hardhead1576–An unthinking or unintelligent person; a ‘blockhead’. Also: a person who is stubborn and uncompromising. Occasionally as a nickname. Cf. hard, adj.…
- beetle-head1577–
- dor-head1577A stupid or blundering fellow = beetle, n.² 4 (obsolete).
- groutnoll1578–1658= grout-head, n.
- nidget1579–An idiot, a fool.
- thickskin1582–One who has a thick skin; a person dull or slow of feeling. Also attributive.
- noddyship?1589A mock title for a fool.
- dull-pate1590–1705= dull-head, n.
- jobbernowl1592–A stupid or foolish person; an idiot, a numbskull.
- beetle-brain1593–
- Dorbel1593–1621A scholastical pedant, a dull-witted person, dolt; cf. dunce, n.
- oatmeal-groat1594Obsolete derogatory. A stupid or worthless person.
- loggerhead1595–A thick-headed or stupid person; a blockhead.
- blockpate1598A stupid or foolish person; a blockhead.
- cittern-head1598–1640Used as a term of abuse, with reference to the grotesquely carved head of a cittern.
- cloghead1598–derogatory. Now rare. A stupid or foolish person. Formerly also: †the head of such a person (obsolete). Cf. blockhead, n.
- noddypoop1598= noddypoll, n.
- dorbellist1599
- numps1599–A silly or stupid person. Frequently as a form of address. Cf. numpty, n.
- shallow-pate1600–A person of shallow intellect.
- dor1601–57figurative. Applied to persons. Obsolete.
- lunatic1602–figurative (chiefly disparaging or derogatory). A person regarded as extremely or recklessly foolish, wildly irrational, eccentric, delusional, or…
- stump1602–Applied to a person: A blockhead (cf. stock, n.¹ A.I.1c, stub, n. 2); a man of short stumpy figure (cf. stub, n. 7d). †Sometimes as a term of…
- flight-head1605‘A wild-headed person’ (Nares).
- ram-head1605–A person whose head is likened to that of a ram; a dull, slow-witted, or obstinate individual; a cuckold. Now historical.
- look-like-a-goose1606–24A foolish or stupid person; cf. goose, n. 1f.
- ruff1606–74A blockhead, a fool.
- clod1607–figurative. A blockhead, clodpate; a clodhopper.
- halfwit1607–A person of limited intelligence; a stupid or foolish person.
- turf1607–74A clod of earth. Also figurative cf. clod, n. 4. Obsolete.
- asinego1609–1714A ‘donkey,’ fool, dolt.
- clot-poll1609–(clotpoll, -pole.) A clod-poll, n., blockhead, dolt.
- doddiea1611Shortened form of doddypoll, n. Obsolete.
- druggle1611–53A term of contempt: a heavy, stupid, weak, or cowardly person.
- duncecomb1612A stupid person; a fool, a dunce.
- ox-head1613–A stupid person; a dolt, a blockhead. Now chiefly archaic.
- clod-polla1616–= clod-pate, n.
- dulman1615–61A dull or stupid person; humorously as a proper name.
- jolterhead1620–= jolthead, n. 2.
- bullhead1624–‘A stupid fellow; a blockhead’ (Johnson). Also attributive.
- dunderwhelpa1625–A stupid or foolish person; = dunderhead, n.
- non-intelligent1628–1866A person who is not intelligent; (also) a person who does not understand. Obsolete.
- dunderhead1630–A stupid or slow-witted person; an idiot, a fool.
- macaroona1631–slang. A buffoon; a blockhead, a dolt. Also (regional): a fop (cf. macaroni, n. 2).
- moonling1631–A simpleton; an idiot.
- clod-patea1635–A thickhead or blockhead.
- clota1637–colloquial. A dull-witted, clumsy, or blundering person. In later use often as a mild or affectionate term of reproach. Cf. clod, n. 5.
- dildo1638–colloquial. Originally as a general term of abuse for a boy or young man. In later use: a stupid, inept, or ridiculous person.
- clot-pate1640–54= clod-pate, n.
- stupid1640–colloquial. A stupid person; a fool, an idiot.
- underhead1643–80A person of inferior intelligence. Obsolete.
- clod-head1644–A clod-pate, n.
- stub1644figurative. A blockhead; = stock, n.¹ A.I.1c. Obsolete.
- simpletonian1652–An unintelligent, foolish, or gullible person; a simpleton.
- bottle-head1654–A stupid or foolish person; an idiot, a fool, a blockhead.
- Boeotiana1657–A stupid clown, a ‘thick-head’.
- vappe1657figurative. A stupid person.
- lackwit1668–A witless or stupid person.
- no conjurer1668–transferred. Said ironically of a person of superior cleverness. no conjurer n. one who is far from clever.
- cudden1673–1719A born fool, a dolt. Obsolete.
- plant-animal1673–1706figurative. A dull, inert, or stupid person. Obsolete.
- dolt-head1679–1711a. A dolt, blockhead; b. a stupid head (quot. 1711).
- cabbage head1682–a. (derogatory) a dull-witted or foolish person (cf. cabbage, n.¹ II.6); b. the head formed by the unexpanded leaves of a cabbage.
- driveller1682–A person who talks or acts in a foolish, silly, or feeble way; a drivelling idiot.
- tomfool1683–As a common noun: a foolish or stupid person; an idiot.
- put1688–A stupid or foolish person, a blockhead. Cf. country put, n.
- a piece of wood1691Phrases. a piece of wood: a contemptuous appellation for a stupid person; a blockhead.
- ouphe1694–Chiefly Scottish (north-eastern). A stupid or ineffectual person.
- dunderpate1697–A stupid or foolish person; = dunderhead, n.
- numbskull1697–A stupid or foolish person; an idiot, a blockhead.
- insipid1699–1796An insipid person or thing; one who is deficient in sense, spirit, or taste. Obsolete.
- leather-head1699–a. slang a blockhead; b. Australian the friar-bird.
- nocky1699–A fool, a simpleton.
- Tom Cony1699In personal names used generically with the meaning ‘a stupid or foolish person, an oaf’, as Tom Cony, Tom Dingle, Tom Towly. Cf. Tom doodle, n. Obs…
- mopus1700A simpleton; a dull, stupid, or ineffectual person; = mope, n. 1.
- bluff-head1703–bluff-bowed, bluff-browed, bluff-chested, bluff-headed (see sense 1a); bluff-head n. a bluff headland, the top of a bluff; also figurative as a…
- clod skull1707–= clod-head, n.
- shallow-brains1707A shallow-brained person.
- sillytonian1707–38A silly or gullible person, esp. one considered as belonging to a notional sect of such people. Cf. sillyton, n., grumbletonian, n.
- dunny1709–1906a. A stupid or foolish person; a person lacking in intellect or understanding. b. A deaf person. Obsolete.
- inane1710–An empty-headed, unintelligent person.
- dowf1722–A dull, spiritless, foolish, or stupid person. Now rare.
- niddy-noddy1722–An idiot, a fool; a grotesque image. Also as adj.: stupid. English regional in later use.
- stupe1722–A stupid person; a fool, an idiot.
- coof1724–A dull spiritless fellow; one somewhat obtuse in sense and sensibility.
- gamphrel1729–A stupid or foolish person; a fool, a blockhead, an idiot.
- gobbin?1746–An unintelligent or uneducated person; a fool, an idiot.
- duncehead1749–derogatory or disparaging. A stupid, inept, or dim-witted person; an idiot. Cf. dunce, n. II.3.
- thick-skull1755–A thick-skulled person.
- jackass1756–A foolish or stupid person; an idiot, a dolt. Cf. ass, n.¹ 2. Now chiefly North American.
- woollen-head1756A thick-headed or dull person (in quot. attributive).
- numbhead1757–A numbskull, a blockhead.
- crazy pate1758–1920A person considered to be irrational, foolish, or insane.
- dummy1763–A foolish or stupid person; an idiot. Frequently as a general term of abuse.
- beef-head1775–A thick-head, a block-head.
- granny1776–Originally U.S. A person compared disparagingly to an old woman; a fussy, indecisive, or unenterprising person. Also: (English regional (Cheshire))…
- imbecile1781–Chiefly derogatory. A very stupid, foolish, or ignorant person.
- puggle1783–1925A crazy or foolish person, an idiot. Obsolete.
- stupid-head1792–A stupid or slow-witted person; a fool, an idiot, a blockhead; frequently as a contemptuous form of address.
- stunpolla1794–A dolt, blockhead.
- timber-head1794–a. Nautical the head or end of any timber; spec. such an end rising above the deck and serving as a bollard: see 1860 at kevel, n.² 2; b. slang (rare…
- wether heada1796–A sheep's head; figurative a stupid person.
- noghead1800–A foolish or stupid person.
- staumrel1802–A stupid, halfwitted person.
- muttonhead1803–A dull or stupid person. Cf. sheep's head, n. 2.
- doughhead1807–(A name for) a stupid or foolish person; an idiot.
- num1807= numbskull, n.
- dummkopf1809–A stupid or foolish person; an idiot. Cf. dumbhead, n.
- tumphya1813–A stupid person, a blockhead.
- ganache1814–derogatory. A person of low intelligence. Now rare.
- dumbhead1818–A stupid or foolish person; an idiot.
- In fishes (singular and plural), the upper part of the trunk, adjoining the head.
- loon1823–A person regarded as foolish, unintelligent, irrational, or out of touch with reality; a person who thinks or behaves in ways which are not…
- stoopid1823–Chiefly as a contemptuous form of address: a stupid or foolish person; = stupid, n. C.1.
- thick-head1824–One who is dull of intellect; a blockhead.
- dult1825–= dolt, n.; a dunce; the boy at the bottom of a class or form.
- gype1825–A fool, an idiot.
- stob1825figurative. (See quot. 1825.)
- stookiea1828–A plaster statue, a wax figure or dummy. Also transferred, a slow-witted person, a blockhead.
- woodenhead1831–A stupid person, a blockhead.
- ning-nong1832–A fool, a stupid person. Also in extended use. Cf. nig-nog, n.¹
- slobber-chops1832–As a general term of abuse or contempt: a stupid, contemptible, or ineffectual person. Now rare.
- log-head1834–= blockhead, n. A.1.
- fat-head1835–One having a fat head; a stupid dolt.
- dunderheadism1836–Behaviour typical of a dunderhead; foolishness, stupidity.
- turnip1837–In slang or colloquial uses. disparaging. A foolish or stupid person; (often by implication) a naive or unsophisticated person from the…
- wanwit1837–colloquial. A person whose mental faculties are limited or impaired. Also: a foolish or irrational person. Now archaic and rare.
- mudhead1838–U.S. colloquial. derogatory. A native of Tennessee. Now rare.
- donkey1840–transferred. A stupid or silly person.
- stupex1843–A stupid person; a fool, an idiot.
- cabbage1844–A dull-witted person; someone lacking interests or ambition (cf. cabbage head, n.). Also: a person who is incapable of normal mental or physical…
- opacity1844–Denseness or obtuseness of intellect or understanding. Also (in quot. 1844): a person exemplifying this. Now rare.
- morepork1845–colloquial. Australian. A stupid or tiresome person (frequently as a term of abuse).
- lubber-head1847–A stupid person, a blockhead; hence lubber-headed adj. (Eng. Dial. Dict.).
- slowpoke1847–(A name for) a slow or lazy person; a dawdler; a slowcoach. Also: †a dim-witted person (obsolete).
- stupiditarian1850–An unintelligent, uneducated, or foolish person.
- pudding-head1851–derogatory. A stupid person.
- A stupid or silly person, a fool, a blockhead. Now archaic.
- eejit1853–= idiot, n.
- putty head1853–A stupid person.
- nowmun1854–A fool, an idiot.
- moke1855–In extended use: a person who is stupid, awkward, or incompetent; a dolt, a fool; = donkey, n. 2a.
- mullet-head1855–A stupid person.
- pothead1855–colloquial (chiefly regional). A stupid person, a fool.
- mug1857–A stupid or incompetent person; a fool or simpleton; a gullible person, a dupe.
- thick1857–colloquial and slang (originally Schoolboys'). A thick-headed or stupid person.
- clot-head1859–= clot-pate, n.
- boodle1862–88A stupid or silly person; a fool, an idiot.
- meathead1863–derogatory (originally U.S.). A stupid person; a person (esp. a man) who has a large or muscular physique but who is unintelligent or uncouth.
- missing link1863–colloquial. derogatory. Applied to a person, esp. one considered crude or stupid.
- scant-brain1864One lacking in wits.
- half-baked1866–colloquial and regional. A foolish or stupid person. Cf. sense A.2b.
- crazyhead1867–slang (chiefly derogatory). A person who is considered to lack intelligence or common sense.
- lunk1867–A slow-witted, unintelligent person.
- turnip head1867–A foolish or stupid person; (often by implication) a naive or unsophisticated person from the countryside; a country bumpkin; cf. turnip, n. 3b, tur…
- rummy1872–A stupid person; a dupe.
- born idiot1873–A person having an intellectual disability (now offensive); (in later use also) a person who acts with extreme stupidity or foolishness.
- dinlo1873–A stupid, annoying, or hapless person; an idiot, a fool.
- doughbake1874–Chiefly English regional (south-western). A stupid or foolish person; an idiot. Cf. dough-baked, adj. 2.
- pumpkin-head1876–A person with a head compared to a pumpkin; a fool, a dolt. Also: a head resembling or made from a pumpkin; spec. (a) a large or round head; (b) a…
- insensate1877–An insensate person.
- tattie1879–= potato, n. 2. Also figurative, a stupid person.
- chump1883–figurative. A man as unintelligent as a chump of wood; a block, blockhead (cf. block, n.¹ I.i.1d).
- dully1883–A dull or stupid person.
- cretin1884–derogatory and potentially offensive. An extremely foolish or stupid person; an idiot, a fool. Also as a general term of abuse or disparagement.
- lunkhead1884–A blockhead.
- mopstick1886slang. A stupid person, an idiot. Obsolete. rare.
- knuckle-head1890–A slow-witted or stupid person.
- peanut head1891–A stupid or foolish person; also as a term of abuse. Cf. pinhead, n. A.4a, pea-brain, n., etc.
- pie-face1891–A round, flat face resembling a pie; a person with such a face, esp. if appearing blank or expressionless; a stupid person. Also attributive in pi…
- lardhead1893–A foolish person; a person lacking in intelligence. Cf. fat-head, n.² 1.
- butt-head1896–Originally and chiefly North American. A stupid, stubborn, or contemptible person. Cf. butt-headed, adj. 1.
- pinhead1896–colloquial. derogatory. A person with an abnormally small head; (figurative) a stupid or foolish person.
- ding-a-ling1899–North American colloquial (originally slang). A person who is psychologically disturbed or mentally ill, esp. (in early use) as a result of being…
- cheesehead1900–A silly or foolish person; an idiot.
- nyamps1900–An incapable, worthless, or stupid person.
- box head1902–colloquial. A stupid or foolish person; an idiot. Cf. blockhead, n. A.1.
- bonehead1903–slang (originally U.S.). A person characterized as unthinking or unintelligent; a blockhead.
- chickenhead1903–colloquial (chiefly U.S.). Usually as two words or with hyphen. A foolish or stupid person. Cf. chicken-headed, adj.
- gook1904–A stupid, annoying, or peculiar person; spec. †(a) a person who offers unsolicited advice or opinions, a know-all (obsolete); (b) (now chiefly) a… Now somewhat uncommon, perhaps due to the possibility of confusion with the derogatory and offensive gook, n.²
- thickwit1904–A thick-witted person.
- cluck1906–U.S. slang. A stupid, inept, or unsuccessful person.
- boob1907–colloquial. Originally and chiefly U.S. A stupid, inept, or blundering person; a fool. Cf. booby, n.¹ 1a.
- John1908–U.S. slang. A gullible or easily-fooled person, a dupe; esp. a potential victim of a swindle or confidence trick. Cf. mark, n.¹ VI.26.
- mooch1910–colloquial and regional. A slow-witted person; one who is easily taken in or swindled; a dupe, a sucker. Now chiefly U.S.
- nitwit1910–A stupid, silly, or foolish person. Also in extended use as a term of abuse or derision.
- dikkop1913–figurative. = thick-head, n. 1.
- feeb1914–A foolish or stupid person.
- goop1914–A stupid or fatuous person.
- lamebrain1914–A foolish, stupid, or idiotic person; a dimwit. Also as a contemptuous form of address.
- dingbat1915–Chiefly North American, Australian, and New Zealand. A person who is wildly irrational or eccentric; one who is foolish or stupid. Also as a general…
- goofus1916–A foolish or stupid person. Cf. doofus, n.
- rumdum1916–A drunkard, esp. one whose faculties are affected by drinking. Hence: a fool, a person lacking ability.
- bone dome1917–a. derogatory (a nickname for) an unthinking or unintelligent person; a blockhead; = bonehead, n. A.1a; b. a crash helmet, esp. one for a pilot; cf…
- oik1917–An uncouth, loutish, uneducated, or obnoxious person; a yob (esp. with connotations of lower-class origin).
- dumbbell1918–colloquial (originally U.S.). A stupid or foolish person; an idiot. Cf. dumb, adj. A.II.10a.
- jabroni1919–U.S. slang and colloquial (derogatory, often used mockingly). A stupid, objectionable, or ridiculous man; a loser, a knuckle-head.
- goldfish1920–figurative. Chiefly in similative and allusive use, typically as a means of characterizing or stereotyping a person as having limited intelligence…
- knob1920–slang. An annoying, unpleasant, or idiotic person (esp. a man or boy). Cf. knobhead, n. 2.
- dumb bunny1921–A foolish or stupid person.
- goon1921–A stolid, dull, or stupid person. Originally U.S.
- ratbag1921–A disagreeable, disreputable, or contemptible person or (occasionally) thing, a ‘scumbag’; (also, Australian) a wayward or eccentric person, a crank.
- bodoh1922–Malaysian English and Singapore English (colloquial and derogatory). A person who is foolish, ignorant, or inept; an idiot, a dunce.
- dimwit1922–A stupid or slow-witted person.
- moron1922–derogatory. A stupid or slow-witted person; a fool, an idiot. Also attributive or as adj.
- ivory dome1923–A stupid person.
- stone jug1923–Rhyming slang. = mug, n.⁶ Cf. steamer, n. 11.
- dingleberry1924–slang. Originally U.S. A foolish, stupid, or annoying person.
- gimp1924–derogatory slang (originally U.S.). A stupid, inept, or contemptible person.
- bird brain1926–A foolish or unintelligent person.
- jughead1926–A foolish or stupid person; also, as a mere term of abuse.
- no-brow1926–A person having, or regarded as having, few or no cultural interests or little intellect.
- cloth-head1927–A thick-head; cf. clot-head, n.
- dumb1928–colloquial. North American. A foolish or stupid person.
- gazook1928–A fool; a stupid or unpleasant person.
- mouldwarp1928–U.S. regional. A stupid or worthless person.
- ding-dong1929–slang (originally U.S.). A worthless, stupid, insane, or wildly eccentric person. Cf. dingbat, n. A.3.
- stupido1929–Originally and chiefly in Italian-speaking contexts: a stupid person. Also used as a contemptuous form of address.
- mook1930–colloquial and derogatory (U.S. and Caribbean). An incompetent or stupid person; a contemptible person (esp. with reference to low social status).
- sparrow-brain1930–(A person with) a tiny brain, (a person of) limited intelligence or perception.
- knobhead1931–Used as a disparaging term for a person. North American slang. A stupid or slow-witted person; a dolt, an idiot, a numbskull.
- dip1932–A stupid, unremarkable, or contemptible person.
- drip1932–A stupid, feeble, or dull person; a fool; a bore. slang.
- dumbo1932–A stupid person; an idiot.
- epsilon1932–A person of low intelligence.
- bohunkus1933–A stupid, obnoxious, or worthless person. Often as a general term of abuse or contemptuous form of address. Cf. bohunk, n. A.2.
- diddy1933–Chiefly Scottish. A fool, an idiot.
- dill1933–A foolish or silly person; an idiot; a simpleton. Also: a victim of deception; a dupe (see quot. 1941).
- eight ball1933–slang (originally Military). An unruly person; spec. a useless or insubordinate soldier.
- dumbass1934–A foolish or pathetic person, an idiot; sometimes as a form of address to such a person. Also (and earliest) as a modifier: stupid, foolish, pathetic.
- zombie1936–figurative. colloquial. A dull, apathetic, unresponsive, or unthinkingly acquiescent person. Also as a general term of disparagement.
- pea-brain1938–colloquial (derogatory). A stupid or empty-headed person; an idiot, a fool; (also) the supposedly tiny brain of such a person.
- knot-head1940–A stupid person (see also quot. 1940); also, a stupid horse.
- schlump1941–A dull-witted, dejected, or talentless person; a fool.
- jarhead1942–A foolish or stupid person.
- dillbrain1943–A foolish or silly person; an idiot; = dill, n.⁶
- Joe Soap1943–colloquial. Name applied to a ‘dumb’ person, a mug; also, more generally, a quite ordinary person, any person.
- nong1944–Australian and New Zealand slang. A fool; a stupid or incompetent person. Cf. ning-nong, n., nong-nong, n.
- gobshite1946–Chiefly Irish English. derogatory. A foolish, incompetent, or gullible person; a person who talks nonsense or speaks incessantly; a loudmouth.
- rock-head1947–North American colloquial. Originally: a person whose head is said to be made of rock. Now usually: spec. a stupid person; blockhead, n. A.1. Cf. to…
- potato head1948–disparaging. A person whose head is likened to a potato; a stupid person, a fool. Also: a person from an area known for the cultivation of…
- jerko1949–A stupid, irritating, or deliberately obnoxious person; = jerk, n.¹ A.III.12. Frequently as a derogatory form of address.
- turkey1951–U.S. slang. A stupid, slow, inept, or otherwise worthless person.
- momo1953–An idiot; a stupid person.
- dumb-arse1954–slang (derogatory). A foolish or ignorant person; a person of limited intelligence. Also used as a name or form of address for such a person.
- poop-head1955–A stupid person.
- a right one1958–colloquial (chiefly British and Irish English). As an intensifier (usually in derogatory and ironical contexts): complete, absolute, total…
- head-the-ball1958–(A name for) a foolish or silly person, an idiot; (also) a crazy person, esp. one who is violent or unpredictable. Cf. bawheid, n. Used either depreciatively or affectionately, depending on the context.
- bam1959–A foolish, annoying, or obnoxious person; (also spec.) a belligerent or disruptive person. Often as a contemptuous form of address. Cf. bampot, n.…
- nong-nong1959–= nong, n. 2.
- dickhead1960–A stupid, annoying, or objectionable person (esp. a male); one whose behaviour is considered knowingly obnoxious, provocative, or disruptive. Cf. dick…
- Herbert1960–A stupid, ridiculous, or inconsequential person.
- bampot1962–A foolish, annoying, or obnoxious person; (also spec.) a belligerent or disruptive person. Often as a contemptuous form of address. Cf. bam, n.², bam…
- dipshit1963–coarse slang (originally U.S.). A stupid, inept, or contemptible person; an idiot.
- bamstick1965–A foolish, annoying, or obnoxious person; (also spec.) a belligerent or disruptive person. Often as a contemptuous form of address. Cf. bam, n.², b…
- doofus1965–A foolish or stupid person, an idiot; also as a general term of contempt. Cf. goofus, n.¹
- flip-out1965–A person who suddenly loses control over his or her emotions or behaviour or who experiences (episodes of) extreme mental distress, esp. (in early…
- dick1966–slang (originally U.S.). A stupid, annoying, or detestable person (esp. a male); one whose behaviour is considered knowingly obnoxious…
- pillock1967–Chiefly British colloquial (mildly derogatory). A stupid person; a fool, an idiot.
- zipperhead1967–U.S. slang. derogatory. A stupid person; an idiot.
- dipstick1968–slang (originally U.S.). A stupid or obnoxious person. Cf. dipshit, n.
- flake1968–One who is ‘flaky’ or liable to act in an eccentric or crazy manner, a ‘screwball’; also, a foolish, slow-witted, or unreliable person. slang…
- thickie1968–= thick-head, n. 1a. Cf. thick, n. B.II.6.
- fuckwit1969–coarse slang (originally Australian). A stupid or contemptible person; an idiot.
- poephol1969–The anus; derogatory a stupid or unpleasant person.
- tattie-bogle1969–= potato-bogle, n.; also figurative, a simpleton.
- yo-yo1970–figurative or in figurative context. A stupid person, a fool. U.S. slang.
- doof1971–= doofus, n.
- cockhead1972–coarse slang. A stupid, annoying, or objectionable person (esp. a male); esp. one whose behaviour is considered knowingly obnoxious, provocative, or…
- divvy1972–British (originally English regional (Liverpool)). A stupid or foolish person; an idiot.
- nully1973–A fool, a stupid person; a nobody.
- div1975–A foolish or stupid person; an idiot.
- tube1975–Scottish colloquial. Also in form choob. A stupid or contemptible person; an idiot. Frequently as a disparaging form of address.
- thicko1976–= thick-head, n. 1a.
- wazzock1976–A stupid or annoying person; an idiot.
- gonzo1977–A crazy person, a fool.
- Nimrod1977–North American slang. Usually with lower-case initial. A stupid or contemptible person; an idiot.
- motorhead1979–An idiot, a fool.
- mouth-breather1979–North American slang. A stupid person.
- no-brainer1979–A foolish or unintelligent person or action.
- prannet1979–An idiot.
- jerkwad1980–An obnoxious, detestable, or stupid person (esp. a male). Also as a modifier as a more general term of contempt.
- twonk1981–An idiot; a fool.
- pranny1982–Originally: the female genitals. Later: an idiot.
- dickwad1983–An obnoxious, detestable, or stupid person (esp. a male). Cf. jerkwad, n.
- dough ball1983–colloquial (chiefly Scottish) Frequently in form doughball. A stupid or foolish person; an idiot.
- dickweed1984–An obnoxious, detestable, or stupid person (esp. a male).
- bawheid1985–A person with a large round face; (also) a stupid person. Frequently as a term of mild abuse.
- numpty1985–A stupid or foolish person; an idiot.
- dickass1988–slang (originally and chiefly U.S.). An obnoxious or idiotic person (esp. a male).
- jerkweed1988–An obnoxious, detestable, or stupid person (esp. a male). Often as a contemptuous form of address. Cf. dickweed, n., jerkwad, n.
- dick-sucker1989–coarse slang. A stupid or obnoxious person. Frequently as a contemptuous form of address. Cf. cocksucker, n. 2.
- knob-end1989–coarse slang (chiefly British). derogatory. An annoying, objectionable, or idiotic person; = knobhead, n. 2b. Cf. bell end, n. 3b.
- Muppet1989–slang. An incompetent or ineffectual person; an idiot. Also (with less derogatory force): someone enthusiastic but inept; a person prone to mishaps…
- dickbag1991–An obnoxious, detestable, or stupid person (esp. a male).
- dingus1997–slang (originally and chiefly North American). A silly or inept person; a fool, an idiot.
- asshat1998–A stupid or contemptible person.
- assclown1999–A stupid or contemptible person.
- dicksack1999–An obnoxious, detestable, or stupid person (esp. a male). Cf. dickbag, n.
- A foolish or stupid person, a blockhead.
- warlockOld English–1600A wicked or reprehensible person; a scoundrel. Also as a general term of reproach or abuse. Obsolete.
- swinec1175–derogatory. A person, typically a man, having one or more of the negative characteristics traditionally associated with pigs; esp. a greedy, lazy…
- beastc1225–A brutal, cruel, or wicked person. In early use also: †a stupid or foolish person (obsolete). Cf. brute, n.¹ B.2.
- wolf's-fista1300–1611The puffball, Lycoperdon Bovista. Also used as a term of abuse.
- avetrolc1300–20An illegitimate child.
- congeonc1300–1430An offensive term of abuse or dislike.
- dirtc1300–Applied abusively to persons.
- slimec1315–figurative. Applied disparagingly to the human body, to man in general, or to single persons.
- snipec1325–One or other of the limicoline birds of the genus Gallinago (formerly included in the Linnæan genus Scolopax), characterized by having a long…
- lurdanc1330–A general term of opprobrium, reproach, or abuse, implying either dullness and incapacity, or idleness and rascality; a sluggard, vagabond, ‘loafer’…
- misbegetc1330A misbegotten child.
- wretchc1330–Used as a term of opprobrious address.
- sorrowa1350–Chiefly poetic. Sorrow personified.
- shrew1362–1507Used as a term of abuse: Wretch, villain.
- jordan1377–Applied derisively to a person. (With the first quot. cf. the Latin uses of matula a vessel, pot; spec. a chamber-pot, urinal; figurative a term…
- wirlingc1390–1881A puny or stunted person or creature; a despicable or contemptible person, a wretch. Also as a term of abuse. Cf. urling, n.²
- frog?a1400–A person likened to a frog. Usually as a term of abuse.
- warianglea1400–50Used as a term of contemptuous abuse. rare.
- turdc1400–Chiefly derogatory. As a term of abuse: a worthless, unpleasant, or obnoxious person. Cf. shit, n. A.I.2. Also as a more general term of abuse.
- callet1415–derogatory. A lascivious or sexually promiscuous woman; a prostitute. Also as a general term of abuse for a woman. Now archaic and English regional (northern).
- horcopc1440–1599An illegitimate child. Also as a term of abuse.
- lotterela1450As a term of contempt: (probably) a rogue, a scoundrel.
- paddock?a1475–derogatory. A contemptible, mean, or spiteful person.
- souter1478–1585Employed as a term of abuse. Obsolete.
- chuff?a1500–Generally applied opprobriously, with a fitting epithet, to any person disliked; esp. (a) a rude coarse churlish fellow; (b) a miser, a close…
- langbain?c1500Apparently: (a nickname for) a long-legged person; used as a term of abuse or contempt.
- cockatrice1508–A malicious, treacherous, or destructive person. Now somewhat rare.
- sow1508–Applied to persons (male or female) as a term of abuse, opprobrium, or reproach, esp. to a fat, clumsy, or slovenly woman.
- spink1508Scottish. Used as an abusive epithet. Obsolete. rare.
- wilrone1508–1842A wild boar.
- carline's pet?a1513–1600Used as a term of abuse for a person in satirical poetry and flytings in 16th-cent. Scotland (see quots.).
- rook?a1513–1890In extended use. A derogatory term for: a disreputable, greedy, garrulous, or slovenly person. Obsolete.
- streaker?a1513Scottish. A term of abuse for a person. Obsolete.
- dirt-dauber?1518–1647One who daubs or plasters with dirt or mud; a maker of cob-walls; also, a term of abuse. Obsolete.
- marmoset1523–Extended uses. Applied to a man (derogatory or disparaging). Occasionally: a favourite, a minion. Now rare.
- babiona1529–1656A baboon or other monkey; (figurative) a stupid or foolish person (derogatory; cf. baboon, n. 3). Cf. bavian, n. 2.
- poll-hatcheta1529A poleaxe (in quots. 1529 and 1826 used as a term of abuse: cf. hatchet face, n.).
- cut?a1534–1820A term of abuse or contempt for a person; spec. a woman regarded as sexually promiscuous. Obsolete.
- bear-wolf1542–1652A term of abuse for a person.
- misbegotten1546–1647A person born outside marriage, an illegitimate person (also used as a term of abuse). Also (with the and plural agreement) such people as a class…
- pig1546–derogatory. A boorish, coarse, obstinate, or disagreeable person or animal; (in later use esp.) a lecherous or sexist man.
- excrement1561–As a term of abuse: a worthless, inferior, or unpleasant person. Cf. shit, n. A.I.2, turd, n. 3.
- mamzer1562–A person conceived in a forbidden sexual union, esp. as defined by rabbinical tradition. Also in extended uses as a term of abuse or familiarity.
- chuff-cat1563–chuff-cat n. Obsolete = chuff, n.¹ 2. chuff-headed adj. Obsolete with a big fat head. chuff-penny adj. Obsolete miserly, avaricious.
- varlet1566–Employed as an abusive form of address.
- toada1568–Applied opprobriously to human beings and animals.
- mandrake1568–1676figurative. An unpleasant or unwanted person or thing; something to be rooted up, a pestilential growth. Obsolete.
- spider1568–Applied to persons as an opprobrious or vituperative term.
- rat1571–A dishonest, contemptible, or worthless person; spec. a man who is deceitful or disloyal in a romantic relationship (cf. love rat, n.).
- bull-beef1573–The flesh of bulls, also †a term of abuse; esp. in to bluster like bull-beef, as big as bull-beef, etc.
- mole-catcher1573–A person employed to catch moles. Frequently figurative and in various extended uses, esp. as a general term of abuse (perhaps originally: spec. †a…
- suppository1573–1675figurative. Esp. as a term of personal abuse. Obsolete.
- curtal1578–1637Applied to persons. A term of derision or opprobrium.
- spider-catcher1579–One who catches spiders. Chiefly figurative, and frequently as a vague term of abuse (obsolete).
- bearbrat1582A term of abuse for a person.
- mongrela1585–A person of low or indeterminate status. Frequently as a term of contempt or abuse, esp. in early use. Occasionally in figurative context. derogatory…
- roita1585–Scottish. derogatory. An excessively garrulous person; (in later use) esp. a quarrelsome and unruly woman.
- stickdirta1585As a term of abuse.
- dogfish1589–1858As a term of abuse or contempt for a person. Cf. dogface, n., dogfly, n. 2, dog fox, n. 1b. Obsolete.
- Poor John1589–98As a term of abuse. Obsolete.
- dog's facec1590–A face like that of a dog (in early use as a term of abuse or reproach); = dogface, n. 1.
- dunghill raker1591–A person who rakes through or rakes up refuse, esp. in search of things which may be reused, sold, or recycled (often used as a type of the lowest…
- tar-boxa1592–1687Applied contemptuously to a person: = ‘stinking fellow’. Obsolete.
- baboon1592–derogatory. A foolish, stupid, or contemptible person; (also) a person considered to resemble a baboon in appearance. Frequently as a term of abuse.
- pot-hunter1592–1630cant. Perhaps: a sycophant, a parasite. Cf. barnacle, n.² 3b. Also as a more general term of abuse. Obsolete.
- venom1592–1616Used in addressing persons. Obsolete. rare.
- porcupine1594–figurative. A person or thing resembling or reminiscent of a porcupine, as being prickly, difficult to deal with, etc.; a prickly mass of things.
- lickfingers1595–A greedy or self-interested person. Frequently as a contemptuous form of address. Cf. lick-dish, n. 1. Now somewhat rare.
- mouldychaps1595–1611derogatory. Obsolete. = mouldy chops, n.
- tripe1595–Applied opprobriously or contemptuously to a person; also bag of tripe.
- conundrum1596Applied abusively to a person. (? Pedant, crotchet-monger, or ninny.) Obsolete.
- fat-guts1598–One having a big belly, used as a term of abuse, also attributive.
- thornback1599figurative. Opprobriously applied to a person.
- land-rat1600–A rat that lives on land. †Also used as a term of abuse.
- midriff1600As a term of abuse. Obsolete.
- stinkardc1600–One who stinks. Formerly often used as a term of abuse. Now rare or Obsolete.
- tumbril1601–1700figurative (derogatory). A person, or a person's mouth, likened to a dung cart, esp. in being foul or repulsive; (also) a drunk. Obsolete.
- lobster1602–16An opprobrious name (? for a red-faced man).
- pilcher1602–81Obsolete slang. derogatory. A term of abuse for: a person considered worthless, contemptible, or insignificant.
- windfucker?1602–67A talkative braggart; a windbag. Cf. windsucker, n.¹ 1. Obsolete.
- stinker1607–= stinkard, n. 1 low slang. Also in weakened slang uses, esp. banteringly and in mock-contempt.
- hog rubber1611–1835(Used contemptuously or as a term of abuse) a yokel; a country bumpkin.
- shad1612–As a term of abuse. rare.
- splay-foot1612–Used as a term of abuse.
- tim1612–73A term of personal abuse.
- whit1612As a term of contempt or abuse: an insignificant thing. Obsolete. rare.
- verdugo1616–A hangman or executioner. Also employed as a term of abuse.
- renegado1622As a term of abuse, without implication of treachery. Obsolete.
- fish facea1625–A person whose face is thought to resemble that of a fish. Usually as a nickname or term of abuse.
- flea-trapa1625–81In quot. an opprobrious epithet applied to a person.
- hound's head1633Applied opprobriously to a person.
- mulligrub1633–A sulky or ill-tempered person. Now English regional.
- nightmare1633–1824As a term of abuse. Obsolete.
- toad's-guts1634A term of abuse.
- bitch-baby1638(Apparently) used as a term of abuse for a person; cf. son of a bitch, n. A.1a.
- custard-pate1639–1703A term of reproach or abuse for a person.
- shagamuffin1642A term of abuse.
- shit-breech1648–coarse slang. A person who defecates in his breeches (frequently used as a term of abuse). Also: a small child. Also attributive.
- shitabed1653–rare. coarse slang. a. (A term of abuse for) a lazy or worthless person; b. English regional (southern) the dandelion, Taraxacum officinale (now historical).
- snite1653As a term of abuse. Obsolete. Cf. snipe, n. 3.
- pissabed1672–derogatory. A bed-wetter. Also as a more general term of abuse.
- bastard1675–slang or colloquial. Used as a term of abuse or contempt for a person (esp. a man or boy), now esp. for someone who is callous or wilfully cruel, or…
- swab1687–†a. = swabber, n.¹ 1. Obsolete. b. A term of abuse or (now often mild) contempt: cf. swabber, n.¹ 2.
- tar-barrel1695Applied opprobriously to a person. Cf. tar-box, n. b. Obsolete.
- runt1699–figurative. A short person of thickset build; a small or undersized person. Also as a term of abuse.
- whore's kitling1699–The child of a whore; an illegitimate child; (also) as a general term of abuse or contempt.
- fat-face1740–a. A term of abuse; b. Typography less commonly fat letter (see quot. 1841), and attributive.
- shit-sack1769–coarse slang. A detestable person (originally spec. as an opprobrious name applied to nonconformists: see shick-shack, n.).
- vagabond1842–Used as a term of reproof or abuse.
- shick-shack1847–Apparently originally used as a term of abuse for persons who were found not wearing the customary oak-apple or sprig of oak on the morning of…
- soor1848–A term of abuse for a person: pig, swine.
- b1851–Bugger (or bastard) (as a euphemism, sometimes printed b——).
- stink-pot1854–A term of abuse for a person or (rarely) a thing. slang.
- molie1871–A mole-catcher; frequently as a familiar name. Cf. mowdie, n. 2.
- pig-dog1871–derogatory. A contemptible person.
- schweinhund1871–A despicable, troublesome, or unpleasant person. Often as an abusive form of address. Chiefly used where the speaker or referent is German. Cf. swin…
- fucker1893–coarse slang. A foolish or despicable person (cf. earlier windfucker, n. 2). Also more broadly: a person, a fellow.
- cocksucker1894–coarse slang. A stupid or obnoxious person. Frequently as a contemptuous form of address.
- dry-blower1895–a. A gold-miner; b. used as a term of opprobrium; c. (see quot. 1964).
- wart1896–colloquial. An obnoxious or objectionable person.
- so-and-so1897–Used euphemistically as a term of abuse for a person (occasionally a thing). Also, with weakened force, as a term of affection.
- swine-hound1899–A despicable, troublesome, or unpleasant person; cf. schweinhund, n., swine-dog, n.
- motherfucker1918–coarse slang (originally and chiefly North American). With negative connotation. An obnoxious, despicable, or contemptible person; a very unpleasant person. Frequently as a term of abuse.
- S.O.B.1918–Son of a bitch, also silly old bastard, etc.
- mong1926–In extended use: a despicable person. Cf. mongrel, n. A.II.5a.
- mucker1929–= fucker, n. (as a term of abuse).
- twat1929–As a term of abuse: a contemptible or obnoxious person; a person who behaves stupidly; a fool, an idiot. Now chiefly British. The force of this term can vary widely. Especially when applied to a woman, it can be as derogatory and offensive as the term cunt (cunt, n. 2a), but it can also be used (especially of men) as a milder form of abuse without conscious reference to the female genitals, often implying that a person's behaviour, appearance, etc., is stupid or idiotic, with little or no greater force than twit (twit, n.¹ 2b).
- windsucker1931–A talkative or boastful person; a windbag. Later more generally: a disreputable person.
- basket1936–Euphemistic alteration of bastard (esp. in sense 1c). slang.
- cowson1936–Used as an opprobrious epithet or term of abuse.
- zombie1936–figurative. colloquial. A dull, apathetic, unresponsive, or unthinkingly acquiescent person. Also as a general term of disparagement.
- meatball1937–slang (chiefly North American). An unintelligent, boring, or ineffectual person, esp. one with a muscular physique.
- shower1943–colloquial (chiefly British, originally Military slang). A worthless or contemptible person.
- chickenshit1945–coarse slang (originally U.S. Military). (A name for) a person who adheres very closely to rules, or who is afraid to break them; a cowardly or despicable person.
- mugger1945–A man, a fellow; = bugger, n.¹ 3a. Also (in imprecations): = bugger, n.¹ phrases P.1.
- motherferyer1946–= motherfucker, n. 1a.
- wheygoose1949–Used as a term of opprobrium.
- hooer1952–Australian and New Zealand colloquial (frequently derogatory). An unpleasant or contemptible person (esp. a man) or thing. Also in weakened sense, as a mildly dismissive term for a person or thing, sometimes…
- morpion1954–In extended use, as a term of abuse. rare.
- mother1955–slang (originally and chiefly U.S.). = motherfucker, n. (in various senses).
- erk1959–transferred. Used as a term of contempt.
- mother-raper1959–
- louser1960–One who spoils things: used as a general term of abuse. Also louser-up n.
- effer1961–slang. = fucker, n. 2.
- salaud1962–A French term of abuse: filthy beast, ‘swine’.
- gunk1964–A derogatory term for a person. slang.
- scunge1967–As a vague term of abuse.
- she-ass1991–A female ass; also figurative, as a derogatory term.
- thickskin1582–One who has a thick skin; a person dull or slow of feeling. Also attributive.
- insensiblea1618–1802(From A. II.) (a) A thing or person incapable of feeling; an inanimate thing; an apathetic person; (b) a person destitute of sense, a fool.
- unnaturalist1623–1835A person lacking natural feeling or moral sense. Obsolete.
- non-sensitive1628A thing without feeling. Obsolete. rare.
- apathist1640–A person who is much inclined to apathy, one sunk in stolid indifference.
- stick1801–A dull or awkward person, one who lacks geniality or liveliness. Also: a person who is unskilled or inept at something; (Theatre) an unconvincing…
- soulless1824–With the and plural agreement: soulless people collectively.
- zombie1936–figurative. colloquial. A dull, apathetic, unresponsive, or unthinkingly acquiescent person. Also as a general term of disparagement.
- I.3.b.1942–Canadian Military slang. In the Second World War (1939–45): (a derogatory nickname for) a man conscripted for home defence under the National Resources Mobilization Act of 1940, as distinct from a volunteer for active service overseas. Chiefly in plural. Now historical.
- 1942
It is a matter of common knowledge that they [sc. military conscripts] are called ‘zombies’ by the other chaps in camp.
Canadian Statesman (Bowmanville, Ontario) 29 January 6/3 - 1946
My old man says Quebec or no Quebec they'll have to send the Zombies over.
R. Allen, Home Made Banners xiii. 163 - 2016
By 1944 the ranks of the zombies did contain a larger proportion of French-speaking conscripts and men from other non-British backgrounds than among the national population.
D. T. Byers, Zombie Army vi. 170
- I.4.1974–Philosophy. A hypothetical being which responds to stimuli in the same way as a normal person, but which lacks conscious experience.
- 1974
If the argument is sound, then the causal analysis fails to provide a basis for rejecting the logical possibility of Zombies, because it fails to take account of some of the phenomena necessarily involved in sentience.
R. Kirk in Mind vol. 83 55 - 1994
An intentional zombie is a creature which has intentional states but has and can have no conscious states at all.
Philosophical & Phenomenological Research vol. 54 837 - 2016
If zombies are logically possible, the argument goes, conscious experience cannot be physical.
Behavior & Philosophy vol. 43 9
- II.Extended and other uses.
- II.5.1938–Originally U.S. A long cocktail consisting of several kinds of rum, liqueur, and fruit juice.
- 1938
At the Beachcombers' club they all had fun at Sampascoopie's expense when I gulped a ‘Zombie’... It is made of five different kinds of rum.
Lowell (Massachusetts) Sun 27 August 4/3 - 1968
The bartender..went off to prepare a zombie. Forbes hated zombies, but it was the longest drink that came to mind.
J. M. Ullman, Lady on Fire vi. 80 - 2019
Let's drink a zombie from a cocoa shell!
@SheilaDelutri 1 October in twitter.com (accessed 7 Dec. 2020)
- bumbo1701–An alcoholic drink made from spirits (originally rum), sugar, and water, often with additional flavourings such as fruits and spices.
- rum cocktail1841–A cocktail in which the principal ingredient is rum.
- silky1852–Of liquor: Having a soft delicate taste.
- planter's punch1878–A cocktail containing rum, fruit juices, and sugar.
- daiquiri1920–A cocktail containing rum, lime, etc.
- piña colada1920–A long cocktail made with pineapple juice, rum, and coconut.
- presidente1928–A Cuban cocktail made from white rum, vermouth, grenadine, and curaçao.
- Cuba libre1929–Originally: any of various drinks consumed in or associated with Cuba during the Cuban war of independence (see etymology). Later: a cocktail made…
- mojito1934–A cocktail originating in Cuba and consisting of white rum, lime or lemon juice, sugar, fresh mint, ice, and carbonated or soda water.
- zombie1938–Originally U.S. A long cocktail consisting of several kinds of rum, liqueur, and fruit juice.
- mai tai?c1950–A cocktail based on light rum, with added curaçao and fruit juices.
- Dark and Stormy1983–A cocktail made with dark rum and ginger beer poured over ice, and usually garnished with a slice of lime. In form Dark 'n Stormy a proprietary name.
- II.6.1985–Finance. A failing bank, business, etc., which relies on financial assistance from the government to continue operating. Also: a person who or company which is only able to repay the interest on a debt but not the debt itself. Frequently more fully as zombie bank, zombie debtor, etc.
- 1985
Large parts of the oil industry, the zombies of the savings, banking and insurance world (still stumbling along but long since dead in terms of true solvency).
Financial Times 28 September (Weekend FT section) 1/1 - 1986
The fact that ‘zombie’ thrifts are allowed to survive creates serious problems for other, healthier thrifts as well as for bank intermediaries. The zombies tend to bid up the price of deposits, victimizing their neighbors.
American Banker (Nexis) 8 April 1 - 1998
He cut short-term rates sharply in 1990 to bail out Citibank and other zombie banks that were awash in bad loans but were too big to be allowed to fail.
Washington Post 1 December d3/1 - 2012
One in six people was a ‘zombie debtor’, only able to service the interest on their debts and not reduce them.
Daily Echo (Nexis) 25 April
society trade and finance management of money insolvency indebtedness [nouns] debtor other types of debtor- bankrupt1533–1811A person who defrauds his or her creditors or avoids paying his or her debts. Also: a person whose debts are the result of reckless expenditure. Obs…
- mortgager1607–A person who mortgages property; the borrower in a mortgage; = mortgagor, n. Also occasionally (in popular use): the creditor or lender in a…
- Alsatian1688–An inhabitant of Alsatia (Alsatia, n. 1) in London; a criminal. Now historical.
- Minter1699–1839A person living in the precincts of the former mint in Southwark, London, a reputed sanctuary for debtors. Cf. mint, n.¹ 2d.
- abbey laird1700–An insolvent debtor taking sanctuary in the precincts of Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh. Cf. abbey, n. 3.
- judgment debtor1749–A person owing a judgment debt.
- peon1826–In Latin America and the south-western United States: an unskilled farmworker or day labourer under the charge of a foreman or overseer; spec. (esp…
- poor debtor1831–One who owes or is indebted to another. poor debtor (U.S.): One who, being imprisoned in a civil action for debt, is, under the laws of several…
- overdrawer1906–A person, business, etc., who overdraws a bank account or who has an overdraft.
- zombie1985–Finance. A failing bank, business, etc., which relies on financial assistance from the government to continue operating. Also: a person who or…
- II.7.1999–Computing. A computer or computer network infected with malicious software and controlled without the owner's knowledge, typically used to send spam, perform distributed denial of service attacks, etc. Frequently more fully as zombie computer, zombie network, etc. Cf. botnet n. (b).
- [1996
In an age of colorful, network-based threats such as viruses, worms, freeloaders, and zombies, there is amply justified reluctance to blindly execute unknown code.
Digest Papers COMPCON '96 58/2] - 1999
The hackers are gaining control of as many as thousands of vulnerable zombie computers in order to magnify and direct their full-scale assault against a single victim from all directions.
Infoworld Daily News (Nexis) 9 December - 2000
The group of machines used for the attack—sometimes called a zombie network—can be anywhere in the Internet, and consists of machines that have security weaknesses due to misconfiguration etc.
Computer Weekly 2 March 44/3 - 2002
The zombie then transmits a massive amount of packets of useless data to a specific Web site, thus clogging it up and achieving a denial of service attack.
P. Lilley, Hacked, Attacked, & Abused 200 - 2013
A ‘zombie computer’ is one that, unknown to its owner, has been infected with malicious software that allows a distant ‘zombie master’ to control it, along with potentially thousands of other machines similarly affected.
T. Chatfield, Netymology xxxix. 121
Pronunciation
British English
U.S. English
Caribbean English
Consonants
- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing
Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence
Vowels
- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)
Other symbols
- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.
View the pronunciation model here.
Consonants
- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing
* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in
Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence
Vowels
- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)
Other symbols
- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.
View the pronunciation model here.
Consonants
- ppea
- ttea, thaw
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye, thee
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing
Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used as in British and US English.
Vowels
- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, ago
- aːpalm, bath, thought
- aː(r)start
- ɑlot, cloth
- ʌstrut, letter
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- oːgoat
- ɔːthought
- oː(r)north, force, cure
- ɜː(r)nurse
- eː(r)square, near
- aʊmouth
- ɔʊmouth
- eːface
- aipride, voice
- ɔivoice
- ãsoucouyant
- ɑ̃salon
Other symbols
- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.
View the pronunciation model here.
Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.
Consonants
b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values
- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige
Vowels
- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot
Forms
Variant forms
- 1700s–zombie
- 1800s–zombi
- 1900s–zomby
Frequency
zombie typically occurs about 0.6 times per million words in modern written English.
zombie is in frequency band 4, which contains words occurring between 0.1 and 1 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands
Frequency of zombie, n., 1830–2010
* Occurrences per million words in written English
Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.
The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.
For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.
Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.
| Decade | Frequency per million words |
|---|---|
| 1830 | 0.00009 |
| 1840 | 0.00007 |
| 1850 | 0.00009 |
| 1860 | 0.0001 |
| 1870 | 0.0002 |
| 1880 | 0.0003 |
| 1890 | 0.0003 |
| 1900 | 0.0047 |
| 1910 | 0.0071 |
| 1920 | 0.018 |
| 1930 | 0.035 |
| 1940 | 0.057 |
| 1950 | 0.1 |
| 1960 | 0.19 |
| 1970 | 0.29 |
| 1980 | 0.49 |
| 1990 | 0.69 |
| 2000 | 0.8 |
| 2010 | 0.92 |
Frequency of zombie, n., 2017–2024
* Occurrences per million words in written English
Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.
Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the corpus.
| Period | Frequency per million words |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 5.9 |
| 2018 | 6.0 |
| 2019 | 5.3 |
| 2020 | 5.0 |
| 2021 | 4.4 |
| 2022 | 4.7 |
| 2023 | 4.7 |
| 2024 | 4.9 |
Compounds & derived words
- zombieism, n. 1932–
- zombie-like, adj. & adv. 1932–Characteristic of or resembling (that of) a…
- zombie-esque, adj. 1946–Resembling or suggestive of a zombie; zombie-like.
- zombify, v. 1950–transitive. To transform into a zombie. Chiefly…
- zomboid, adj. 1963–Resembling or suggestive of a zombie; zombie-like.
- zombied, adj. 1972–= zombified, adj. Also with out.
- zombie apocalypse, n. 1982–An imaginary event (as in a film, etc.) in which…
- zom-com, n. 2004–A comedy film featuring zombie characters.
- zombie worm, n. 2005–Any of various marine (chiefly deep-sea)…
- C.1.1937–In general use as a modifier, esp. in sense I.2b.
- 1937
Revolt of the Zombies... Another mighty ‘Zombie’ Story.
Daily Mail (Hull) 22 April (Last edition) 3/3 (advertisement) - 1958
The breathing zombie orchestra around her.
A. Wilson, Middle Age of Mrs Eliot i. 77 - 1966
A dream-sequence in a cemetery with zombie-hands sprouting like crocuses.
New Statesman 14 January 58/3 - 1976
He could send home, when the time came, some zombie replica of himself.
D. Lodge, Changing Places (new edition) v. 162 - 2015
In this cheap and cheerfully violent zombie movie from Australia, the coming of the living dead coincides with a mysterious fuel shortage.
Sunday Times (Nexis) 10 May (Culture section) 12
- unfeelingOld English–Having no feeling or sensation, insensible; figurative not sensitive to impressions, etc.
- mis-feelinga1382Foolish, unwise; senseless.
- stonishc1450–1551Resembling, or having the character of, stone; stony. (Chiefly figurative.)
- unpainfulc1450–1582Not subject to pain. Obsolete.
- obtuse1509–figurative. Annoyingly unperceptive or slow to understand; stupid; insensitive. Also, of a remark, action, etc.: exhibiting dullness, stupidity or…
- sprightlessa1522–Lacking spirit; characterized by lack of animation, liveliness, or energy; (esp. of a person or animal) lacking courage or (now usually)…
- insensate1553–Wanting in mental or moral feeling; devoid of sensibility; unaffected, unmoved; unfeeling. (Of persons, or their qualities, actions, etc.)
- senseless1560–Without sense, awareness, or consciousness of something. Also: incapable of sympathetic or emotional responsiveness; insensitive; unfeeling. Now rare.
- soulless1568–Of a person: lacking spirit, sensitivity, or other qualities regarded as elevated or human; (now esp.) lacking in human warmth, feeling, or…
- dull-esprited1591In dull-esprited = dull-spirited.
- impassible1592–Incapable of feeling or emotion; impassive, insensible, unimpressible.
- dead-hearted1596–Lacking feeling or emotion; impassive; unfeeling, callous.
- bluntie1598–Of blunt nature or tendency.
- impenetrable1600–Impervious to intellectual or moral influences, impressions, or ideas.
- stockish1600–Resembling a stock or block of wood; esp. of a person, excessively dull, stupid or ‘wooden’.
- stolidc1600–Dull and impassive; having little or no sensibility; incapable of being excited or moved. Also of actions, demeanour, expression of countenance, etc.
- incapable1601–Unable or unfit to receive so as to be affected or influenced by; not open to or susceptible of; unable to ‘take in’ so as to realize, insensible…
- stupid1605–Emotionally, morally, or spiritually dull, numb, or indifferent; lacking in natural feeling, moral sense, or spiritual awareness. Often with to. Now…
- tasteless1605–Destitute of the sense of taste; unable to taste. Also figurative. Now rare.
- unsensitive1610–(un-, prefix¹ affix 1).
- unexalted1611–(un-, prefix¹ affix 2.)
- insensible1617–Incapable or destitute of feeling or emotion; emotionless, callous, apathetic.
- unsensible1619–= insensible, adj. A.II.4b.
- languid1622–Of a person, a person's character, actions, emotions, etc.: not easily inspired to emotion, exhibiting only faint interest or concern; spiritless…
- immovable1639–Incapable of being stirred or affected with feeling; emotionless, impassive.
- sterile1642–Mentally or spiritually barren. Also, unproductive of results; fruitless; barren in or of (something sought or desired).
- resupine1643–65Listless, apathetic. Obsolete. rare.
- unaffectionate1645Not endowed with feeling. Obsolete. rare.
- iron-bound1648–figurative. Firm, impregnable; rigidly confined or restricted; unyielding, inflexible.
- resentlessa1649–1827Devoid of feeling or affection. Obsolete.
- torpid1656–figurative. Wanting in animation or vigour; inactive; slow, sluggish; dull; stupefied; apathetic.
- torpulent1657Torpid.
- impassive1699–Deficient in, or void of, mental feeling or emotion; not susceptible to mental impressions; unimpressionable, apathetic; also, in good sense, not…
- unreceptive1722–Not receptive, esp. to new suggestions or ideas.
- hebete1743–Dull, stupid, obtuse.
- apathetic1744–Of, or pertaining to, apathy; insensible to suffering or emotion generally; unemotional; indifferent to what is calculated to move the feelings or…
- stubbed1744figurative. Dull, not delicate or sensitive. Obsolete.
- gustless1766Having no sense of taste or appetite.
- unresponsive1768–Not responsive; that does not or cannot respond to an action, touch, etc.
- unsusceptible1779–Not readily liable to impressions; = insusceptible, adj. c.
- tideless-blooded1786–Whose blood is unstirred by passion or emotion.
- unaffectioned1788–(un-, prefix¹ affix 2.)
- inaccessible1796–Of an emotion, a concept, etc.: that is impossible to apprehend or get in touch with. Also with to.
- hebetudinous1820–Inclined to hebetude; dull, obtuse.
- unimpressible1828–(un-, prefix¹ affix 1.)
- insensitive1834–Destitute of, or wanting in, mental or moral sensitiveness; having no quickness of feeling; not susceptible of impression. Const. to.
- apathetical1835–= apathetic, adj.
- non-sensitive1836–Not sensitive, insensitive.
- impermeable1844–figurative. Of a person, the mind, etc.: not open or receptive to new ideas, arguments, etc.; not susceptible to emotion. Chiefly in predicative use…
- blunt-hearted1845–
- irreceptive1846–Not receptive; incapable of receiving; unreceptive.
- unreceptant1846Unreceptive, unreceiving.
- unimpressionable1847–(un-, prefix¹ affix 1b.)
- anaesthetic1854–figurative. Mentally, emotionally, or spiritually numb (to something); unfeeling, emotionless.
- insentient1860–Devoid of mental feeling; indifferent. rare.
- In comparisons, as hard (also tough, sharp) as nails.
- unsqueamish1893–(un-, prefix¹ affix 1.)
- tone-deaf1894–Deaf to the tones of music; also transferred and figurative, insensitive, lacking in perception.
- unget-at-able1897–(un-, prefix¹ affix 1b.)
- facty1901–That knows many facts, interested (only) in facts.
- sun-extinct1929Inwardly dead.
- zombie1937–In general use as a modifier, esp. in sense I.2b.
- pegamoid1957–Made of pegamoid. Also figurative: impassive, impervious, not susceptible to emotion.
the mind goodness and badness inferiority or baseness person considered inferior [adjectives] as abused- lousyc1386–figurative. Dirty, filthy, obscene. Also as a general term of abuse: Mean, scurvy, sorry, vile, contemptible. Also, inferior, poor, bad; ill; in…
- greasya1529–As a contemptuous or abusive epithet.
- mongrela1594–Of a person: worthless, contemptible. Occasionally in figurative context. derogatory (now chiefly Australian).
- shake rotten1595A term of abuse.
- strummell-patch1600A contemptuous epithet for a person.
- thornbackly1605Of the nature of a thornback: cf. thornback, n. 1c.
- toad-spotted1608–
- pissabed1643–derogatory. That wets the bed; (more generally) despicable, contemptible. Now rare.
- shit-breeched1664
- shit-breech1675–coarse slang. That is a shit-breech.
- mole-catching1693Designating a person who catches moles. In quot. 1693 figurative: designating a man who seeks out and seduces women; womanizing, philandering.
- nine-eyed1694–Having nine eyes.
- poxya1758–Infected with pox; spotty. Now in weakened colloquial use (chiefly British): of poor quality, useless, worthless (frequently as a general term of…
- cocksucking1872–coarse slang. Designating a contemptible or despicable person or thing (also as an intensifier); (sometimes literal) designating a person who practises fellatio.
- bastard1877–colloquial. Used as an intensifier, typically expressing annoyance, contempt, hostility, etc., on the part of the speaker. Cf. sense A.I.2.
- motherfucking1890–coarse slang (originally and chiefly North American). Despicable, obnoxious, contemptible, damnable. Used esp. as an intensifier.
- son-of-a-bitching1902–Despicable, obnoxious, contemptible (used esp. as an intensifier).
- so-and-so1929–euphemistic as a term of abuse.
- mother-raping1932–
- pigshit1934–coarse slang (originally U.S.). a. adj. Worthless, trashy; used as a general term of abuse; b. n. rubbish, nonsense (cf. bullshit, n.); (literal) pig manure.
- zombie1937–In general use as a modifier, esp. in sense I.2b.
- chickenshit1940–coarse slang (originally U.S. Military). Worthless, contemptible.
- pissy-arsed1940–coarse slang. Drunk; given to drinking too much; also in more general pejorative use.
- bastarding1944–Used as an intensifier, typically expressing annoyance, contempt, hostility, etc., on the part of the speaker. Cf. bloody, adj. A.8a, sodding, adj.
- mother-loving1948–slang (originally and chiefly U.S.) (euphemistic). = motherfucking, adj.
- mothering1951–slang (originally and chiefly U.S.). euphemistic. = motherfucking, adj.
- C.2.
- zombie apocalypse, n. 1982–An imaginary event (as in a film, etc.) in which…
- zombie worm, n. 2005–Any of various marine (chiefly deep-sea)…
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