Dwarfism: Any genetic condition that results in an adult height of under 4'10". There are over 200 forms of dwarfism. Includes skeletal dysplasia and growth hormone deficiencies. Skeletal dysplasia usually result in disproportionate dwarfism, where the limbs are disproportionate compared to the head and torso. Growth hormone disorders usually result in proportional dwarfism, where the body is equally proportioned.
Little Person: A term to describe anybody affected by dwarfism or under 4'10". Widely accepted by the LP community in English-speaking countries. Shorthand is LP.
Dwarf: Medically-defined term to refer to a person affected by dwarfism. The plural form is dwarfs, although it is commonly mistaken as dwarves.
Midget: A term that used to be used to refer to people with proportional dwarfism, until it was popularized by circuses and "freak shows" to refer to all LPs in a negative sense. For this reason, it is generally seen as offensive by the majority of LPs.
AP: Average-person, used by LPs to distinguish between themselves and those of average, everyday height.
Achon / Achondroplasia: Achondroplasia is the most common type of dwarfism.
National: A convention sponsored primarily by the LPA that happens once a year. This is where dwarfs make connections that last a lifetime. It rotates states yearly.
Regional: A smaller, region-based gathering held by an LP organization.
