Definition: "Lethargic, pale, dull-eyed." (Merriam-Webster online)
Sample usage: "The kids were so zomberous the first day of school, the teacher had to blow an air horn every few minutes."
Popularity: The word comes from our interminable interest in zombies, which has outlasted the Great Vampire Fascination of the '90s. It's good slang, though, because it reminds you of somber, and the word itself feels leaden and heavy. Yawning yet?
JAMES LILEKS
Interested in other words or phrases we've dissected? See more at startribune.com/word.
