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Size Labels
Jan. 7th, 2025 03:25 pmThere are many words in existence I have seen or used to describe my size identity, here is a quick rundown. See the end for my experience with these terms.
Tiny (adj.)
Being physically small or diminutive in comparison to others. G/T tinies are named such because they are tiny.
Being physically small or diminutive in comparison to others. G/T tinies are named such because they are tiny.
The Lilliputian as a media convention/trope
The Lilliputian is a specific being that usually resembles a human but tiny. Used in fantastical ancient and modern stories like Gulliver's Travels, and very closely linked to miniature Fae. Lilliputian stories often feature shrinking, regrowth, traversing the Mouse World, and on occasion, traversing the Human Body (See Innerspace, Fantastic Voyage). An umbrella label for the other words below.
The Tiny from the modern G/T community
A typically humanoid individual who is placed in opposition to a larger humanoid individual. Tinies may be explicitly nonhuman, paranormal, magical, or just human. Their size may be measured in inches compared to a normal human, or in feet compared to a megasized Giant. In this way, there isn't a size range to be a Tiny.
Tinies range from being presented as pest-like, to a discriminated underclass, to equal members of society. They can be strong representations for discrimination based on physical attributes. Tinies may also be associated with insects or small rodents, often experiencing primal instincts of fear as a prey individual.
Tinies range from being presented as pest-like, to a discriminated underclass, to equal members of society. They can be strong representations for discrimination based on physical attributes. Tinies may also be associated with insects or small rodents, often experiencing primal instincts of fear as a prey individual.
The Borrower
A specific role, culture, or distinct species form of Tiny, which typically live hidden in Giant houses or gardens. They are generally unknown to Giants, seen as pests or mythical beings. They are known to keep away from larger folk, and take small items from them to live. Themes of self sufficiency and survival are important in Borrower stories. May be intertwined with legends of the Fae and folklore (e.g Brownies).
Regular humans may be forced to adopt the role of Borrower in certain stories. However in others, being a Borrower is distinct and marked by animalistic traits or superhuman abilities.
The Curious Borrower / Curious Tiny
A self coined label. A narrative position in giant/tiny literature. It depicts a Lilliputian who defies cultural norms in favour of their personal curiosity or drive to commune with giants. An example of such is Arietty, from the Ghibli movie, who defies Borrower law and befriends Sho, a human.
My Personal Experience
A self coined label. A narrative position in giant/tiny literature. It depicts a Lilliputian who defies cultural norms in favour of their personal curiosity or drive to commune with giants. An example of such is Arietty, from the Ghibli movie, who defies Borrower law and befriends Sho, a human.
My Personal Experience
- I don't use the word Lilliputian for myself, however I engage with plenty of media featuring them.
- I am a Tiny. I am humanoid but not human (auxlian), usually sitting at around 3 inches tall. However, my size tends to shift with my emotions. I am an example of a nonhuman tiny, a distinct species of individual separate from small humans. It takes the place of human when I approach my other therianthropic identities.
- Tiny is the role I take in the pairing of giant and tiny. I experience it more than just being physically small, it is a mindset. On the occasions when internally I am of average height, I am still treated as a tiny by others as it brings me joy. Even while I was believing our shared body was my own, I felt that on the cellular level in my DNA I was a tiny. In that way, it is also a physical identity.
- Borrower is a folcinteric identity. I occasionally get borrower kinshifts which usually include gaining a thin tufted tail, greater speed and climbing, becoming slightly more human-hearted, and enjoying games of chase with my Giant. I use borrowerkin and tinykin interchangeably for myself and to find others.
- Curious Borrower is an archetropal identity I express through my interest in giants and in gt media, which has been present throughout my childhood as an important past time.
