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Zombie Said Quote by Terry Pratchett

“Constable Shoe,' said Constable Shoe, when the door of the bootmaker's factory was opened. 'Homicide.' 'You come 'bout Mister Sonky?' said the troll who'd opened the door. Warm damp air blew out into the street, smelling of incontinent cats and sulphur. 'I meant I'm a zombie,' said Reg Shoe. 'I…” quote by Terry Pratchett
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““Constable Shoe,' said Constable Shoe, when the door of the bootmaker's factory was opened. 'Homicide.' 'You come 'bout Mister Sonky?' said the troll who'd opened the door. Warm damp air blew out into the street, smelling of incontinent cats and sulphur. 'I meant I'm a zombie,' said Reg Shoe. 'I find that telling people right away saves embarrassing misunderstandings later on. But coincidentally, yes, we've come about the alleged deceased.””

Terry Pratchett

About This Quote

Source Novel: Discworld – The Fifth Elephant, 1999

A humorous scene shows a constable introducing himself as a zombie to avoid confusion, highlighting the value of clear communication.

In simple terms: Being upfront prevents misunderstandings.

Key Takeaway

Speak clearly from the start.

Themes

communication humor identity misunderstanding

Mood

lighthearted playful ironic

Type

literary comic fantasy

When to use this quote

  • police work
  • fantasy settings
  • first meetings
  • role‑playing games

Key Concepts

social interaction self‑presentation absurdity

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does honesty affect first impressions?
  • When is it better to with details?
A Different Perspective

If you over‑explain, you may seem odd or lose credibility.

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