The remains of what scientists term "Homo floresiensis" were found on the Indonesian island of Flores in 2003 and are conjectured to be a possible (and extinct) species of humans. Given that the average height of these remains seems to be about 3 feet, the members of this possible species were given a nickname that most people have been using since, as a layman's term.
In October 2012, a scientist in New Zealand was asked by lawyers of an author's estate to not use the term in a talk on the topic.
Which term?
[+ Show Answer]
"Hobbit", refering to the people from J.R.R.Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" series.
More on this ban here.