# Meeple

- Term: General term
- Date: 2000
- Canonical: https://www.lanternhall.org/lexicon/meeple/

> A small, flat, human-shaped wooden playing piece, now the unofficial mascot of hobby board gaming. The word is a contraction of my people.

A small, flat, human-shaped wooden playing piece, now the unofficial mascot of hobby board gaming. The word is a contraction of my people.

**Origin:** Coined by American gamer Alison Hansel in November 2000 while playing Carcassonne (2000), which popularized the piece's modern shape.

## Quick answers

**What does "Meeple" mean?**
A small, flat, human-shaped wooden playing piece, now the unofficial mascot of hobby board gaming. The word is a contraction of my people.

**Where does the term "Meeple" come from?**
Coined by American gamer Alison Hansel in November 2000 while playing Carcassonne (2000), which popularized the piece's modern shape.

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From The Lantern Hall (https://www.lanternhall.org/), a museum of fantasy literature and roleplaying games.