Midget
Midget is a term that was historically used to describe a person who is very short in height but otherwise has normal proportions. The term is now considered derogatory and is not commonly used in medical or professional contexts. Instead, the term dwarfism or short stature is used to describe individuals who are significantly below average height.
History[edit | edit source]
The term "midget" was first used in the mid-19th century to describe short-statured individuals who were displayed for public amusement in freak shows. The term was derived from the word "midge", a small biting sand fly. The use of the term became less common in the late 20th century due to its derogatory connotations and the growing recognition of dwarfism as a medical condition.
Medical Context[edit | edit source]
In a medical context, the term "midget" was used to describe individuals who were short in stature but had normal body proportions. This is in contrast to individuals with dwarfism, who are also short in stature but have disproportionate body parts. The most common cause of dwarfism is a condition called achondroplasia, which affects bone growth and results in short stature, a large head, and short limbs.
Social and Cultural Context[edit | edit source]
The term "midget" has been used in a variety of social and cultural contexts, often in a derogatory manner. It has been used to describe short-statured individuals in literature, film, and television. The term has also been used in sports, such as midget wrestling and midget car racing, to describe events involving short-statured individuals or small vehicles.
Current Usage[edit | edit source]
Today, the term "midget" is generally considered derogatory and is not commonly used. Organizations such as the Little People of America (LPA) and the Dwarf Athletic Association of America (DAAA) advocate for the use of the term "dwarf" or "little person" instead. These organizations work to promote understanding and acceptance of individuals with dwarfism and to combat discrimination and prejudice.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Midget Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
