hop-o'-my-thumb

American  

[hop-uh-mahy-thuhm] / ˈhɒp ə maɪˈθʌm /

noun

1. a very small person, as a dwarf.

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Etymology

Origin of hop-o'-my-thumb

First recorded in 1520–30; noun use of imperative phrase hop on my thumb

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hop-o'-my-thumb

“He thinks that he may be ordered off in the boat, and is shamming sick to escape, as if such a hop-o’-my-thumb as he is could be of any use.”

From Marmaduke Merry A Tale of Naval Adventures in Bygone Days by Kingston, William Henry Giles

"All his wits are in his eyes, as you can tell jest to look at him—an' for sech a little hop-o'-my-thumb female that don't reach nigh up to his shoulder."

From The Miller Of Old Church by Glasgow, Ellen Anderson Gholson

Very well, poor little man, if he would only grow, but he is so small, that I am fairly ashamed to show such a hop-o'-my-thumb.

From The Two Guardians or, Home in This World by Yonge, Charlotte Mary

That young hop-o'-my-thumb suspects his father has arrived.

From Heralds of Empire Being the Story of One Ramsay Stanhope, Lieutenant to Pierre Radisson in the Northern Fur Trade by Laut, Agnes C. (Agnes Christina)

The girl must be mad; the hop-o’-my-thumb scoundrel must carry witch-powder!

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Volume 1, No. 4, September, 1850 by Various