All these financiers, all the little gnomes in Zurich.

You are a furry gnome and we feed you too much! Dorothy to Sophia

Gnomes live ten times faster than humans. They're harder to see than a high-speed mouse. That's one reason why most humans hardly ever see them. The other is that humans are very good at not seeing things they know aren't there. And, since sensible humans know that there are no such things as people four inches high, a gnome who doesn't want to be seen probably won't be seen... Wings

Gnomes - Very small creatures that live in holes in gardens. They have leathery skin and large bald heads. To de-gnome a garden, grab the gnome by the ankles and swing it around your head, and then throw.

You're as likely to get through to him if you burble mindlessly at him whilst tossing geraniums standing on a garden gnome.

Xenophilius Lovegood," he said, extending a hand to Harry. "My daughter and I live over the hill, so kind of the Weasleys to invite us. I think you know my Luna?" he added to Ron.
"Yes" said Ron. "Isn't she with you?"
"She lingered in that charming little garden to say hello to the gnomes, such a glorious infestation! How few wizards realize just how much we can learn from the wise little gnomes — or, to give then their correct names, the Gernumbli gardensi."
"Ours do know a lot of excellent swear words," said Ron, "but I think Fred and George taught them those.