People with a form of dwarfism that causes unusually short stature throughout their bodies.
From the verb 'to midge' (to cut short), with the diminutive suffix '-et' added. The term originated in 19th-century English, though modern medical and social usage often prefers 'little people' or specific medical diagnoses.
This word shows how language preferences change—what was once a neutral medical term became considered offensive as society became more respectful of human dignity. The term teaches us that words can hurt even when they weren't originally meant to!
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