DCHP-3

zombie

Slang, Derog., Hist.
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

1n.

See quotes.

Quotations

1949
"Didn't I volunteer in the war? I wasn't a zombie. . . ."
1953
In October [1940], the first men were drafted for service under the N[ational] R[esources] M[obilization] A[ct]. Contemptuously referred to as "zombies," they were never taken seriously by the military authorities, and when, later on, they were needed overseas, they were found to be inadequately trained.
1963
. . . a nasty distinction arose between the volunteers for service overseas and the conscripts for home defence, who were given the pungent nickname of "zombies," a West Indian word for impotent spirits.
2n.

a person who was not in the armed services.

Quotations

1953
"I lent my [golf] clubs to some zombie when I went to war and heaven knows where they are now."