nitpicking
|nit/pick/ing|
B2
/ˈnɪtˌpɪkɪŋ/
(nitpick)
finding small faults
Etymology
Etymology Information
'nitpicking' originates from the practice of picking nits (lice eggs) from hair, where 'nit' meant 'lice egg' and 'picking' meant 'removing.'
Historical Evolution
'nitpicking' evolved from the literal act of removing lice eggs to a metaphorical sense of finding small faults.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'removing lice eggs,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'finding small faults.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act of looking for small or unimportant errors or faults, often to criticize unnecessarily.
Her constant nitpicking about my work is frustrating.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45