A goblin is an evil, crabby, or mischievous creature of folklore, often described as a grotesquely disfigured or gnome-like phantom, that may range in height from that of a dwarf to that of a human. They are attributed with various (sometimes conflicting) abilities, temperaments and appearances depending on the story and country of origin. In some cases, goblins have been classified as constant annoying little creatures somewhat related with the brownie.
Dwarfs, hiisi, duende, tengu, Menninkäinen and kallikantzaroi are often translated into English as 'goblins'. The Erlking and Billy Blind are sometimes called goblins. 'Goblin' is often used as a general term to mean any small mischievous being.
According to some traditions, goblin comes from Gob or Ghob, the king of the gnomes , whose inferiors were called Ghob-lings.
Skratta (which means "to laugh" in modern Swedish) is old Scandinavian word for a goblin or monster (modern Icelandic skratti, a devil).
A creature resembling a goblin, but larger than a human, is often considered an Ogre or a Troll.
Sir Walter Scott in his Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft ascribed gnomes, kobolds and goblins, along with Scottish bogles, to all correspond with a caricature of the Sami people.
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