What is an imp?
An imp is a small devil or goblin in the folklore of England and elsewhere in Europe. The English word “imp” originally meant a plant’s “young shoot” or “graft,” and from that it came to mean “a child (of the devil)” or “a devil’s servant.” In modern English it is also used to mean “a mischievous child.”
Mischievous little devils
Imps lack the great power of major devils and are considered minor demons who play tricks on people or bring small misfortunes. They are often depicted as small, with pointed ears, tails and little bat wings, and are sometimes confused with fairies such as goblins.
In the witch trials of 16th–17th-century England, witches were believed to keep “familiars” in the form of small animals, and these familiars were also called imps.
The Lincoln Imp
Lincoln Cathedral in England has a small stone figure called the “Lincoln Imp.” According to legend, two imps sent by the devil ran riot in the cathedral, so an angel appeared and turned one of them to stone, and that is the figure that remains on top of a pillar. The imp is loved as a symbol of the city of Lincoln.
Imps in games
In modern fantasy games, imps are familiar as weak demon-type monsters that appear early on. For more powerful demons, see demons and the Devil.
