Who does the term "Little people" refer too?

@KOSTAS499 (1624)
Greece
September 19, 2012 4:02pm CST
I hear the term "Little people" in movies. What does it mean? Are there "Little people" and dwarfs? What is the difference?
1 person likes this
9 responses
@Shavkat (137238)
• Philippines
21 Sep 12
I think they refer it to midgets or dwarfism. The term was used as an idioms, if I am not mistaken. In medical term is achondroplasia.
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
• Greece
21 Sep 12
I understand the word achondroplasia better because it is a Greek word. :)
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
• Greece
25 Sep 12
I didn't know the term, I just understood it because it consists of 2 Greek words.
@Shavkat (137238)
• Philippines
22 Sep 12
Do I hit the right keyword?lol It is nice to know, you knew the term. Have a great day!
@urbandekay (18278)
20 Sep 12
I think it means the shee or sidhe all the best urban
@urbandekay (18278)
21 Sep 12
The aos sí (Irish pronunciation: [i?s '?i?], older form aes sídhe [e?s '?i??]) are a supernatural race in Irish mythology and Scottish mythology comparable to the fairies or elves. They are said to live underground in the fairy mounds, across the western sea, or in an invisible world that coexists with the world of humans. This world is described in the Book of Invasions (recorded in the Book of Leinster) as a parallel universe in which the aos sí walk amongst the living. In the Irish language, aos sí means "people of the mounds" (the mounds are known in Irish as "the sídhe"). In Irish literature the people of the mounds are also called daoine sídhe ['di?n?? '?i??]; in Scottish mythology they are daoine sìth. They are variously said to be the ancestors, the spirits of nature, or goddesses and gods. Some secondary and tertiary sources erroneously refer to aos sí simply as "the sídhe" (lit.: mounds). all the best, urban
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
• Greece
21 Sep 12
Thanks for the detailed answer. I didn't know all this.
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
• Greece
21 Sep 12
What is shee and sidhe?!!!!
@marguicha (215952)
• Chile
19 Sep 12
It seems that there are several changes in the ways that people are being called now as to what they used to be called because someone felt that the old way was offensive. I have seen changes in English with dwarfs, homosexuals and black people. I myself feel that any way of referring to a person is ok if it is with respect. But now it´s little people, gays and I don´t know now how the black race wants to be called and where (as for myself, I find some of them specially attractive!).
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
• Greece
21 Sep 12
You are right, respect is the key. But since some people luck respect, these terms are necessary.
@stary1 (6612)
• United States
19 Sep 12
KOSTAS499 Little People can refer to dwarfs as being a more polite way than using the word midget. However, it can also be used by well known people with egotistical personalities who consider a certain group below or beneath them in status. It is sometimes used by royalty or movie stars or anyone who feels they are superior to others.
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
• Greece
21 Sep 12
Are you sure about the superiority issue? Isn't in only about dwarfs?
@ShyBear88 (59299)
• Sterling, Virginia
20 Sep 12
The meaning of little people means a little person that is smaller then or shorter then 4 feet tall. Dwarfs are little people there is no difference.
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
• Greece
21 Sep 12
People are still people. Some people though, are very rude/mean so terms like that appear.
• Greece
20 Sep 12
If it was a film set in Ireland then the 'little people' referred to are leprechauns - a fairy like Irish creature that mends shoes and has a pot of gold hidden away. The are always dressed in green. At least that is how I remember it but I am not Irish. I've never heard dwarfs referred to as little people. I hope this answers your question.
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
• Greece
21 Sep 12
Thanks. I have seen leprechauns in movies.
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
9 Oct 12
Little people can mean people with height issues, or it can mean people with little power. For example: "In the United States, the Democratic Party claims it is for the little people." http://www.lpaonline.org/
• United States
19 Sep 12
Don't quote me on this but I think this is how it goes. We use to refer to shorter tiny people like that as midgets or dwarfs. THEY prefer to be called "Little People" instead of midgets and dwarfs, which is fine with me. I don't know what the reasoning is because I never thought of them as any different, other than being a bit shorter than the rest of us. But, if they want to be called "Little People" then so be it..that's fine with me, I don't mind in the least.
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
• Greece
20 Sep 12
I have no problem too. Maybe some of them had a problem with the terms midget or dwarf. It is the same.
@snrm007 (224)
• United States
19 Sep 12
I think little people is a kind way to refer to people that are "legally" dwarfs. Many people call these little people midgets, which is very offensive to someone with this genetic disorder. Dwarfs, little people, and midgets are all the same thing if you are not referring to them in the mythical sense. Little people is basically what you should call anyone that is a midget in order to not offend them.
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
• Greece
20 Sep 12
I guess all the terms before little people refer to something historical or mythical as you say.