Munchkin

Munchkin refers to several related concepts, primarily:

• A Character in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: Munchkins are a race of small, jovial people inhabiting Munchkin Country in L. Frank Baum's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its various adaptations. They are distinguished by their diminutive stature, colorful clothing, and happy disposition. They welcome Dorothy Gale upon her arrival in Oz, as she accidentally liberated them from the Wicked Witch of the East.

• A Card Game: Munchkin is a popular card game series created by Steve Jackson Games. It is a satirical dungeon crawler in which players compete to reach level 10 by defeating monsters, looting treasure, and backstabbing their fellow players. The game is known for its humor, chaotic gameplay, and use of role-playing game tropes.

• A Pejorative Term: "Munchkin" can be used as a derogatory term, particularly within role-playing game communities, to describe a player who prioritizes optimizing their character's power and abilities above all else, often at the expense of roleplaying or enjoying the narrative aspects of the game. The term implies a focus on "winning" the game rather than engaging with it creatively and collaboratively. This usage is derived from the competitive and power-gaming aspects of the Munchkin card game, and the stereotype of ruthlessly effective but unimaginative players. The term suggests a lack of sportsmanship and a mercenary attitude towards gaming.