Imp 397623 221652379 2008-06-25T13:46:35Z Earin 215401 [[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 221646906 by [[Special:Contributions/203.87.29.238|203.87.29.238]] ([[User talk:203.87.29.238|talk]]) ::''This article is about the mythical creature. For other uses see [[IMP]].'' {{Unreliable|date=July 2007}} [[Image:TheLincolnImp.jpg|thumb|200px|The [[Lincoln Imp]] (at the bottom of the upper V)]] An '''imp''' is a [[mythology|mythological]] being similar to a [[fairy]] or [[demon]], frequently described in [[folklore]] and [[superstition]]. The word derives from the term <!-- Middle English? -->''ympe'', used to denote a young [[grafting|grafted]] tree. Imps are usually described as mischievous more than seriously threatening, and as lesser beings rather than more important supernatural beings. The attendants of the [[devil]] are sometimes described as imps. They are usually described as lively and having small stature. ==Folklore== [[Image:Feeding demonic imps.jpg|thumb|Old woodcut showing woman feeding imps]] Some accounts of imps treat them as capable of being turned to good, because they are so desperately lonely they would do almost anything&mdash;even commit good deeds&mdash;to have a committed friend. The [[Ancient Greek]] [[demigod]] [[Pan (mythology)|Pan]] has some features in common with an imp, but this is unlikely to be a direct connection, since the imp concept probably belongs to Germanic rather than Hellenic tradition. However, imps are sometimes described as fond of music, and capable of being charmed into making a promise to aid, and "do good" in that manner through music&mdash;though there is always likely to be some mischievous trick to be attached to the barter.{{Fact|date=April 2007}} Imps were the common name given to [[familiar spirit]]s that served [[witch]]es in the [[middle ages]]. Imps were usually kept inside artifacts such as gemstone pieces or vials and summoned for service by [[magic (paranormal)|magics]]. An example of such an imp is one that was supposedly under the service of the alchemist [[Paracelsus]]. == See also == * [[Mandragora (demon)]] * [[Gremlin]] * [[Puck (mythology)|Puck]] * [[Kallikantzaros]] * [[Goblin]] * [[Kappa (mythical creature)|Kappa]] ==Notes== <references /> ==References== [[Category:Demons]] [[Category:European legendary creatures]] {{legendary-creature-stub}} {{Template:Fairies}} [[cs:Šotek]] [[it:Folletto]] [[lt:Impas]] [[ja:インプ (悪魔)]] [[simple:Imp]] [[sv:Imp]]