vertically-challenged
Not very tall
Vertically-challenged is a humorous euphemism for short, formed on the pattern of politically correct terms like "physically challenged." The joke lies in applying sensitive language to something that doesn't require it: At five foot two, I prefer "vertically challenged".
Sometimes used self-deprecatingly, sometimes to mock euphemistic language itself.
Of limited extent
- petiteSmall and delicate
- diminutiveVery small, or nickname form
- compactTightly packed together
- fun-sizedDiminutive but marketed positively
stature · little · undersized · pint-sized · shortness · Napoleon complex · elevator shoes · booster seat
Using mild substitutes
- sarcasticMockingly insincere in tone
- ironicExpressing contrary meaning
- tongue-in-cheekHumorously not meant literally
- absurdistBeliever in cosmic meaninglessness
circumlocution · overcomplication · bureaucratic · sanitized · inoffensive · delicate · tiptoeing · wordplay
short
Of limited extent
- petiteSmall and delicate
- diminutiveVery small, or nickname form
- compactTightly packed together
fun-sized · stature · little · undersized · pint-sized · shortness · Napoleon complex · elevator shoes · booster seat · step stool
euphemistic
Using mild substitutes
- sarcasticMockingly insincere in tone
- ironicExpressing contrary meaning
- tongue-in-cheekHumorously not meant literally
absurdist · circumlocution · overcomplication · bureaucratic · sanitized · inoffensive · delicate · tiptoeing · wordplay · satirical
vertical, vertically, challenge, challenged, challenging, challenges, challenger, challengers, vertex