Midget vs. Dwarf

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 bodily 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." Little people (or 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.

A dwarf is an unusually small person (less than 58 inches tall) with abnormal bodily proportions. 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.