# Midgets, etc.
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midgets-etc/57710
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [March 12, 2001, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midgets-etc/57710 "2001-03-12T21:53:06Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@El\_Danger\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Danger_Mouse)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2001, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midgets-etc/57710/1 "2001-03-12T21:53:06Z")
What is the politically correct term for midgets and
dwarves? (or are their two different terms) Also, do these two groups generally associate or is their any inner prejudice? Any help would be appreciated.
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### Author:  [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2001, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midgets-etc/57710/2 "2001-03-12T22:39:24Z")
I believe the preferred term is “little people.” I couldn’t tell you about their internal politics, though.
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### Author:  [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2001, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midgets-etc/57710/3 "2001-03-12T23:40:46Z")
Let’s define the terms a bit here. I speak from experience as Mrs X is technically a “dwarf”. A midget is a person that is significantly smaller than the norm with properly proportioned body parts. A dwarf, on the other hand, has one or more physical defects such as shorter arms/legs or broader shoulders. Mrs X is 4’9" and one leg is significantly shorter than the other. She also has some problems with her spine that don’t bother her.
As for the “politically correct” term, who gives a damn? I prefer to think of them simply as people and don’t bother with the rest of that crap…
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### Author:  [@El\_Danger\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Danger_Mouse)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2001, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midgets-etc/57710/4 "2001-03-13T00:16:13Z")
Thanks for the clarification…appreciated. Who exactly is Mrs X, though?
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by xploder \*
> \*\*Let’s define the terms a bit here. I speak from experience as Mrs X is technically a “dwarf”. A midget is a person that is significantly smaller than the norm with properly proportioned body parts. A dwarf, on the other hand, has one or more physical defects such as shorter arms/legs or broader shoulders. Mrs X is 4’9" and one leg is significantly shorter than the other. She also has some problems with her spine that don’t bother her.
> \*\*
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### Author:  [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2001, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midgets-etc/57710/5 "2001-03-13T00:23:49Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by El\_Danger\_Mouse \*
> **Thanks for the clarification…appreciated. Who exactly is Mrs X, though?**
See my name? It’s Xploder. Therefore, Mrs X would be my wife 😃
Gotta be the easiest question I’ve ever answered 😃
No problem though and welcome to the boards!
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### Author:  [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2001, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midgets-etc/57710/6 "2001-03-13T00:58:53Z")
Here’s a link to [Little People of America](http://www.lpaonline.org/lpa_intro.html), which will give you a lot more info.
The politically correct term these days seems to be either “little people” or “people of short stature.”
I recall using the term “Pygmy” once in an article I wrote, in reference to those short guys who live in West Africa, and a reviewer objected, saying they should be called “short-statured hunter-gatherers.” :rolleyes:
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### Author:  [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2001, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midgets-etc/57710/7 "2001-03-13T01:01:42Z")
And from that site, although “dwarf” seems to be OK, “midget” is not:
> [@](#):
>
> \*\*Q: What is a midget?
>
> A: In some circles, a midget is the term used for a proportionate dwarf. However, the term has fallen into disfavor and is considered offensive by most people of short stature. Such terms as dwarf, little person, LP, and person of short stature are all acceptable, but most people would rather be referred to by their name than by a label.\*\*
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### Author:  [@El\_Danger\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Danger_Mouse)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2001, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midgets-etc/57710/8 "2001-03-13T01:21:17Z")
Whoa…that site is pretty incredible. Much thanks.