The words midget and dwarf both refer to people who are shorter than what is typical. The main difference between a midget and a dwarf is that a midget has normal body proportions. Since the term "midget" is considered offensive, the term "little person" can be used to refer to a midget or a dwarf. Midget is a derogatory name for a person who is unusually small but well-proportioned. The term has given way to the more favorable "little person." Midgets do not suffer from the same bone and joint problems as people with dwarfism. They grow normally, but do not exceed 58 inches in height. Midget, comes from the word midge "small fly" + -et, so that a midget is etymologically a "very small fly". The first reference to the word is found in 1848
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Dwarfism is the result of a variety of genetic conditions. It can affect people, animals, and plants. People with dwarfism can suffer bone and joint problems as well as nerve compression. The term dwarf is also used in fiction/fantasy writing to refer to a small person with magic ability. Midget vs. Dwarf A dwarf is an extremely short adult who is less than 58 inches tall. The word midget is considered derogatory and offensive. Both words describe a short person, but refer to different physical characteristics and genetic conditions. Midget refers to a person who is very short, but normally proportioned. The term midget is now rarely used and is considered offensive. But its usage was very common until the end of the twentieth century. It has given way to "short person" or "little …show more content…
On the other hand, "dwarf" referred to a person who is small and has disproportionate body parts. A midget was small but proportionate while a dwarf's growth was a disability. However, since the word "midget" is now considered derogatory and offensive, "dwarf" or "little person" describes any adult human less than 147 centimeters tall. While there are many problems associated with Dwarfism, midgets are not plagued by these problems. Midgets are just normal people whose height is stunted. In the case of dwarfs, the physical conditions affecting them are: malformed bones, nerve compression, joint disease, and disoriented growth of some
Dwarfism is the result of a variety of genetic conditions. It can affect people, animals, and plants. People with dwarfism can suffer bone and joint problems as well as nerve compression. The term dwarf is also used in fiction/fantasy writing to refer to a small person with magic ability. Midget vs. Dwarf A dwarf is an extremely short adult who is less than 58 inches tall. The word midget is considered derogatory and offensive. Both words describe a short person, but refer to different physical characteristics and genetic conditions. Midget refers to a person who is very short, but normally proportioned. The term midget is now rarely used and is considered offensive. But its usage was very common until the end of the twentieth century. It has given way to "short person" or "little …show more content…
On the other hand, "dwarf" referred to a person who is small and has disproportionate body parts. A midget was small but proportionate while a dwarf's growth was a disability. However, since the word "midget" is now considered derogatory and offensive, "dwarf" or "little person" describes any adult human less than 147 centimeters tall. While there are many problems associated with Dwarfism, midgets are not plagued by these problems. Midgets are just normal people whose height is stunted. In the case of dwarfs, the physical conditions affecting them are: malformed bones, nerve compression, joint disease, and disoriented growth of some