munchkins
fictional characters
Quick Summary
The term "munchkin" was popularized by L. Frank Baum's 1900 book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. In the story, the Munchkins are described as being about the same height as Dorothy, a well-grown child.1
The word "munchkin" is now defined as a person who is notably small and often endearing, typically referring to a small child. This association was further solidified by the casting of little people to portray the Munchkins in the 1939 film adaptation of The Wizard of Oz.12
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