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At least there's some sense in changing the use of the word "Indian" to refer to people who don't originate from India especially as more immigrants from the actual India and their children populate the U.S.
"Some sense in changing the word "Indian""? Not necessarily. It's not like Columbus thought the new world was "India" which is a misnomer, as "India" wasn't even called "India" until the 17 century and Columbus landed in the Americas 100s of years before then
Are "midget" and "Dwarf" not scientifically-recognized words. Are there identifiable differences between a midget and a dwarf? I thought a dwarf = midget + "normal" head size. There's that one guy that was in GoT and other movies that's worth more than 99.5% of us because he filled an actor's role.
I don't even know what the difference is between a midget and somebody that is just "short". But I imagine it exists.
A person that is 30% shorter than average is probably a midget. a 5'4" man that's derogatorily called a "midget" is a different matter.
It is JUST a genetic difference. It is not a statement of value as a human being.
Technically you are correct but the English language has evolved over time and now days a 'midget' is a really small thing and does not apply to humans. It's like the word 'non-inflammable'. Today we would respond with; "make up your mind". But one upon a time, the word inflammable meant 'burst into flames' or 'could catch alight'. Today, 'inflammable' means can't burn. No-one uses the word midget to refer to dwarfism.
Who the hell has so little to do in life that they make an issue of the word 'midget'? Get a life for heavens, sake!
I was always told that a midget was a small person, perfectly proportioned, while a dwarf had a large head, but short torso, arms and legs. These genetic conditions don't seem to be as common now as in the past. Selective abortions? Better nutrition?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eyebee Teepee
I'm sorry.
Are "midget" and "Dwarf" not scientifically-recognized words. Are there identifiable differences between a midget and a dwarf? I thought a dwarf = midget + "normal" head size. There's that one guy that was in GoT and other movies that's worth more than 99.5% of us because he filled an actor's role.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaseyB
Dwarfism is a specific medical condition. Midgets are just really small but normally proportioned.
Common misconception. There's proportionate dwarfism, where a person or animal is just undersized, usually due to issues with growth hormones. There is also disproportionate dwarfism. The most common variety of disproportionate dwarfism is achondroplasia dwarfism, where the limbs are short (I would expect this is the type of dwarfism Peter Dinklage from GoT has). They're all medical issues, but they have different causes and different outcomes. Dwarfism is a scientific term. Some forms can be disabling, and some forms can result from a disabling disorder, but it's not necessarily a disability in and of itself. (Consider Corgi dogs - they're all achondroplastic dwarfs and they get around fine.)
You also get people who are just short statured...just like sometimes a person is very tall, sometimes a person is very short. They're outliers on the range of human heights.
"Midget" was a term popularized by freakshows. You can probably guess why most people with dwarfism prefer not to be called "midgets." I'm old and I knew "midget" was considered rude even back when I was a kid, so this is nothing new. I don't know why people in this thread are acting like it's a revelation. If you didn't know, whoops! You know now!
My great aunt had achondroplasia and she referred to herself as a dwarf. I think she kind of liked the fantasy/mythology association, or at least had reconciled with it. I don't think I'd much like "little people" either, if I had dwarfism, but I don't have dwarfism, and I'm of a mind to call people whatever they prefer to be called, so "little people" it is, or whatever an individual requests.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frostnip
Common misconception. There's proportionate dwarfism, where a person or animal is just undersized, usually due to issues with growth hormones. There is also disproportionate dwarfism. The most common variety of disproportionate dwarfism is achondroplasia dwarfism, where the limbs are short (I would expect this is the type of dwarfism Peter Dinklage from GoT has). They're all medical issues, but they have different causes and different outcomes. Dwarfism is a scientific term. Some forms can be disabling, and some forms can result from a disabling disorder, but it's not necessarily a disability in and of itself. (Consider Corgi dogs - they're all achondroplastic dwarfs and they get around fine.)
You also get people who are just short statured...just like sometimes a person is very tall, sometimes a person is very short. They're outliers on the range of human heights.
"Midget" was a term popularized by freakshows. You can probably guess why most people with dwarfism prefer not to be called "midgets." I'm old and I knew "midget" was considered rude even back when I was a kid, so this is nothing new. I don't know why people in this thread are acting like it's a revelation. If you didn't know, whoops! You know now!
My great aunt had achondroplasia and she referred to herself as a dwarf. I think she kind of liked the fantasy/mythology association, or at least had reconciled with it. I don't think I'd much like "little people" either, if I had dwarfism, but I don't have dwarfism, and I'm of a mind to call people whatever they prefer to be called, so "little people" it is, or whatever an individual requests.
Common misconception. There's proportionate dwarfism, where a person or animal is just undersized, usually due to issues with growth hormones. There is also disproportionate dwarfism. The most common variety of disproportionate dwarfism is achondroplasia dwarfism, where the limbs are short (I would expect this is the type of dwarfism Peter Dinklage from GoT has). They're all medical issues, but they have different causes and different outcomes. Dwarfism is a scientific term. Some forms can be disabling, and some forms can result from a disabling disorder, but it's not necessarily a disability in and of itself. (Consider Corgi dogs - they're all achondroplastic dwarfs and they get around fine.)
You also get people who are just short statured...just like sometimes a person is very tall, sometimes a person is very short. They're outliers on the range of human heights.
"Midget" was a term popularized by freakshows. You can probably guess why most people with dwarfism prefer not to be called "midgets." I'm old and I knew "midget" was considered rude even back when I was a kid, so this is nothing new. I don't know why people in this thread are acting like it's a revelation. If you didn't know, whoops! You know now!
My great aunt had achondroplasia and she referred to herself as a dwarf. I think she kind of liked the fantasy/mythology association, or at least had reconciled with it. I don't think I'd much like "little people" either, if I had dwarfism, but I don't have dwarfism, and I'm of a mind to call people whatever they prefer to be called, so "little people" it is, or whatever an individual requests.
and there you have it. As I said, I thought they were 2 related but different physiological conditions. At least by the sources readily available today, they're ALL dwarfs, and those with proportionate features are dwarfs and want to be called a dwarf. And by their actual name, which any mature adult would have been doing in the first place.
exactly. This is something that has been out there for ages at this point.
But of course Righties hate not being able to use their preferred slurs about others and get completely bent out of shape when the subjects of those slurs object
Sorry, but it is the left that likes to browse through the dictionary and try to make every little word offensive to someone, somehow. Hell, the dictionary even changed the meaning of a word to ensure it was offensive, since the left wanted it to be.
This thread is brought to you by sad, lonely mental orphans who feel they don't have enough trouble to worry about in their lives, and are desperately trying to create more and then drag others into it.
Although righties also like to use "woke" as a slur, I'm perfectly happy to be categorized by a term that means that I try to be respectful of what people who are members of a particular group prefer to be called.
AKA, I'm perfectly happy to deny reality on order to please delusional people.
I'm so sorry, Sagiteriomolous. I know you're a little fuchsia hermaphrodite giraffe with a unicorn horn. I didn't mean to offend you. My bad, honey.
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