lilliputian

Lilliputian refers to something exceptionally small in size. The term originates from the fictional land of Lilliput, a country populated by people who are only six inches tall, described in Jonathan Swift's 1726 satirical novel, *Gulliver's Travels*. In the book, Lemuel Gulliver, a human of normal proportions, finds himself shipwrecked on the shores of Lilliput and appears as a giant to its inhabitants.

The inhabitants of Lilliput are depicted as highly organized and possessing a sophisticated society, despite their diminutive stature. Their conflicts and political structures are often comically exaggerated due to the scale of their world. For example, their political factions are often determined by how individuals choose to break their eggs – whether at the large end or the small end.

Beyond the literal description of the Lilliputians themselves, the term "lilliputian" has entered common usage to describe anything that is miniature, trivial, or insignificant, particularly when contrasted with something of normal or large scale. It can also be used metaphorically to describe petty disputes or concerns that seem disproportionate to their actual importance, mirroring the exaggerated conflicts within the fictional land of Lilliput. The concept highlights the relativity of size and perspective.

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