little people

American  

[lit-l pee-puhl] / ˈlɪt l ˌpi pəl /

plural noun

1. (in folklore) small, imaginary beings, as elves, fairies, or leprechauns.

2. the common people, especially workers, small merchants, or the like, who lead conventional, presumably unremarkable lives.

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little people British  

plural noun

1. folklore small supernatural beings, such as elves, pixies, or leprechauns

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Etymology

Origin of little people

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

“The common sense of mankind demands that law shall not stop with the punishment of petty crimes by little people. It must also reach men who possess themselves of great power.”

From Salon

“The question will not only be a cold shower for production of housing in Massachusetts, but it also is gonna hurt little people—people that are trying to build generational wealth,” said Greg Vasil, chief executive of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Little people can have regular-size children. My older sister is little. My older brother is big. Huge, in fact. He’s a defensive tackle for the Georgia Bulldogs. And if you’re wondering why my hair is wet, I just finished swimming laps.”

From Literature

Out tumbled a whole world of little people, all dressed up and painted and made of clothespins.

From Literature

“Knowing that gives them the motivation to want to learn how to read, to want to understand what text is for, what it can do for them. It’s very empowering for little people to realize that they have those tools.”

From Los Angeles Times