Daryl and Rick don’t have time for zombies. AMC
Despite living through a zombie apocalypse, AMC’s “The Walking Dead” acts as as if the word doesn’t exist.
That was creator Robert Kirkman’s plan all along. He wrote the series with no intent to ever publish the word.
“We wanted to give you a sense that ‘The Walking Dead’ takes place in a universe where zombie fiction doesn’t exist. No one inside ‘The Walking Dead’ has seen a [George Romero] movie, so they can’t get the rules from that,” he told Conan O’Brien in 2016.
With the TV show currently on its tenth season, the minds behind “The Walking Dead” have had to come up with a lot of other ways to describe these monsters. Keep reading to see the many ways the show has avoided using the word zombie.
Amy Daire contributed to an earlier version of this story.
1. Walkers
Morgan was the first one to tell Rick about walkers in the show’s pilot episode. Netflix
This is the most common word in the series across both the TV show and comic. It was used on the TV show when Morgan explained the undead to Rick. Glenn used it on the next episode while talking to Rick through the radio in the tank, proving that it was already a common term in the area.
2. Biters
The Governor in the comics referring to the zombies as biters. Google Books
The term “biters” is used by the Woodbury group in both the comic and TV series, as well as Caesar Martinez’s group. In the comics, Dr. Stevens’ assistant, Alice, says her original group called the zombies “biters” because no matter what, they all bite.
3. Geeks
In the beginning of the show, Glenn Rhee, Merle Dixon, T-Dog, and Shane all used the word, but the writers have steered clear of it on later seasons.
4. Floaters/swimmers
Dale always had a way with words. Netflix
Kirkman uses “floaters” to describe walkers that get bloated after being stuck in water for too long. The most famous floater was the one stuck in the well at the Greene farm on season two’s fourth episode. Dale called it “a swimmer.”
5. Lamebrains
Rick hears the two men in the bar refer to the undead as lamebrains. Netflix
This name was first used by Dave and Tony, two minor characters who walked into the local bar near Hershel’s farm while Rick and Hershel were talking during season two’s midseason premiere.
6. The infected
Remember Dr. Jenner? Netflix
This phrase has become popular on “The Walking Dead” spin-off, “Fear The Walking Dead,” but it was used on the original show as well. Dr. Edwin Jenner used it as a blanket statement for everyone when he speculated that living humans already had the infection on season one.
7. Roamers
Rick in the comics referring to a few undead as roamers. Google Books
The term “roamers” is most often used in the comic and is used to describe walkers that are roaming around looking for food.
8. Creepers
Some of the Governor’s men way back on season three referred to the dead as something which gave them the creeps. Netflix
Merle Dixon refers to the zombies as creepers on season three, episode three, “Walk With Me.”
9. Lurkers
Lurkers was another word used in the comics. Google Books
The term “lurker” is mostly used in the comic to describe a walker that is dormant or looks dead, but then animates as someone or something gets near and they bite. Most “lurkers” are injured or are being held back in some way.
10. Monsters
Andrea’s just being honest. Netflix
While Milton and Andrea wait for Michael to come back to life on season three’s seventh episode, she mentions that the dead have no unconscious mind.
“When they turn, they become monsters, that’s all,” she tells Milton. “Whatever they once were is gone.”
11. Rotters
Dawn was a ruthless cop. Netflix
This term was used by the Atlanta police officers at Grady Memorial Hospital during season five and another time by the Wolves.
12. Deadies
This one’s kind of funny. Netflix
After Dale tricked others into eating his infected leg in the comics, Albert calls the undead “deadies.” On the TV series, Sam uses the term while speaking with Carol and Rick on season four’s fourth episode.
13. Empties
Jesus refers to the undead as “empties” in the comics. Google Books
In the comic series, Abraham and Michonne save Paul Monroe (aka Jesus) who was sleeping in a car, which he said “empties” were trying to get into.
14. Deadheads
Nicholas didn’t stick around for long. Netflix
Nicholas refers to the zombies as “deadheads” on season five’s twelfth episode.
15. Meat puppets
Yeah, they really come up with some interesting names. Image Comics
This was once used by a Savior in issue #100 when Rick and his crew were captured and first met Negan.
16. The wasted
Benjamin calls the undead “the wasted” while speaking with Morgan on season seven. AMC
This term was first used on “Fear the Walking Dead.” It became a common term for Brandon’s group to use before they themselves became “wasted.”
It has also been used by the Kingdom community on season’s seven and eight.
17. Stinkers
We haven’t seen Magda yet on the show. Google Books
This is a term used by Magna’s group in the comic series. They used it when they were introduced in issue #127.
18. Skin bags
RIP Travis. Hulu
Moyers used this term on season one of “Fear the Walking Dead.”
19. Skin-eaters
Carol was not impressed. Netflix
Similar to skin bags, skin-eaters was said by Sam and Ana on the fourth season of “The Walking Dead.”
20. Growlers
Molly was among the Saviors who held Carol and Maggie captive for one episode on season seven. Netflix
Molly, a Savior, uses this term to describe the walkers on season six’s 13th episode.
21. Hissers
The woman describes the dead as hissers on season 10, episode five. AMC
A woman Negan saves says the “hissers” ran through her camp.
BONUS: Although Kirkman didn’t intend to ever print the word “zombie,” he figured it would slip in eventually. It appears early in volume one of the comic series.
This is back when Glenn was saving Rick. Stack Exchange/Swan
Die-hard fans will know if you look closely, you can find a few instances of the word zombie in the comics.
He also used it in the following volume, but it’s never been said on the show.
Zombies is said twice here. Stack Exchange/Swan
A few zombie words fell through the cracks.
