Skels
Skels, the abbreviated "skeleton," is the term for people who have been zombified as a result of the plague. Unlike stragglers, who are inert and stationary, skels actively attempt to eat humans and their bite passes on the plague.
Stragglers
Stragglers is the term for people who have been zombified but, for unknown reasons, become inert like mannequins as opposed to rabid and violent like skels.
Louche
Appearing indecent or seeming not reputable.
Mausoleum
A structure, often made of stone, used to inter human remains.
Permutations
Synonymous with "variations."
Avocation
A formal word for "hobby" or leisure activity.
Lassitude
Tiredness or lack of energy.
Superannuated
Something which becomes outdated or old-fashioned as a result of newer developments.
Pheenie
A shortened version of "Phoenix," a word used to describe people who survived the plague.
Klutzy
awkward or uncoordinated.
Biddies
An impolite term for older women.
Rat-a-tat
An onomatopoetic term used to describe knocking or tapping.
Grade-Grubber
An informal–often impolite–term used to describe someone who tries to achieve high marks in school and is willing to petition the teacher or professor to improve their grading.
Larders
A cooled room or cupboard, used for storing food.
401(k)
A 401(k) is a form of retirement plan paid partially by an employer.
Sweepers
The term used in the novel to describe those tasked with the job of "sweeping" through areas to kill skels and stragglers.
Wreckers
The term used in the novel to describe those tasked with the job of clearing highways that have jammed been jammed with cars.
Dilettante
Someone who engages in a pursuit or field without proper knowledge or training
PASD
"PASD" are the initials used in the novel to refer to Post-Apocalyptic Stress Disorder. The term–similar to the real-life Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder–was coined by Dr. Neil Herkimer. The disorder has a range of physical and psychological symptoms, and Dr. Herkimer estimates that a full 75% of survivors experience some form of PASD.
Hazmat
An abbreviation of the words "hazardous materials."
Spitballing
To talk aloud in order to generate ideas.
Mien
The way one appears or acts.
Goldbricked
Slang for avoiding responsibilities or obligations.
Coteries
A small, often closed group of people united by common taste or interests.
Shrink
A slang term for a psychiatrist or psychologist.
Primeval
Ancient or from an early state in human development.
Inveterate
A practice or attitude which is firmly established and thus unlikely to change.
Pilfer
To steal something of little value.
Botulism
An illness caused by a toxin which can sometimes be found in food that has been improperly preserved.
Jail-Bait
An informal–and impolite–term for an underaged woman.
Cadre
A small gang of people engaged in the same action or profession.
Vamoosing
An informal term used to describe the act of leaving somewhere hurriedly.
Recon
An abbreviation of the word "reconnaissance" – a term used for a mission with the purpose of gathering information.
