2001's Amelie may have put gnomes on the indie slash twee map, but the diminutive spirits have a history that goes well beyond the garden gnome boom of the 19th and 20th centuries. The creatures were first discussed during the renaissance, and attributed to the mind of the German philosopher Paracelsus. While the philosopher describes them as reluctant to interact with humans, whereas in other accounts, gnomes are touted as being incredibly curious, creative, funny and kind. A bit different fro…

We're getting pretty specific here.