The title *The Thin Man* (1934) refers to a character in the film, but it isn't the main character, Nick Charles, as many assume. Instead, "The Thin Man" is actually a reference to the murder victim, Clyde Wynant, who is described as a thin man in the original novel by Dashiell Hammett, on which the movie is based.

However, because the film and its subsequent sequels became so popular, the title *The Thin Man* became strongly associated with Nick Charles, played by William Powell. This led to the nickname being attached to the entire film series, even though the original "thin man" was only a plot point in the first movie.

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In Dashiell Hammett's novel *The Thin Man*, the title refers to Clyde Wynant, the central figure in the mystery. Wynant is a wealthy inventor who goes missing early in the story, and his disappearance sets off the investigation that drives the plot. He is physically described as being tall and thin, hence the nickname "the thin man."

The title has a dual significance: on a literal level, it points to Wynant's slender physique, but on a symbolic level, it emphasizes his elusive and mysterious nature. Throughout much of the novel, Wynant remains an enigmatic figure, with characters searching for him and trying to piece together his motives and actions. The "thin" descriptor underscores his frailty, both physically and morally, as the story reveals more about his involvement in the crime.

Ultimately, the "thin man" in the novel serves as a catalyst for the unraveling of the mystery, and the title highlights the central role this elusive figure plays in the narrative.