Definition of midget

The term "midget" has a complex and controversial history. Originally, it was a British slang term from the 1880s used to describe a small-sized person, particularly a dwarf or someone under 3 feet 6 inches tall. The word was allegedly coined by a English songwriter and journalist, W.S. Gilbert, who wrote the 1885 comic opera "The Mikado" and used the term to describe a small-sized actor in one of his plays. However, over time, the term "midget" took on a more stigmatized and derogatory connotation, implying that people with dwarfism were somehow less capable or inferior. As a result, many in the dwarfism community have come to reject the term and advocate for more positive and respectful language. Today, the term "little person" is often preferred, as it acknowledges the individual's identity and stature without perpetuating harmful stereotypes.