Nitpicking

Nitpicking is a term that refers to the act of removing nits (the eggs of lice) from the host's hair. As a metaphor, it is used to refer to the act of finding small, insignificant errors or faults, especially in the work of others. The term is often used in a negative context, suggesting an overemphasis on trivial details at the expense of important concepts or ideas.

Etymology

The term "nitpicking" originated from the meticulous process of removing nits from the hair. This task, often performed by family members, required close examination and attention to detail. The metaphorical use of the term began in the mid-20th century.

In popular culture

Nitpicking has been referenced in various forms of media, often as a character trait associated with meticulous, detail-oriented individuals. It is often portrayed as a negative trait, suggesting an inability to see the bigger picture or prioritize important tasks.

Psychological perspective

From a psychological perspective, nitpicking can be seen as a manifestation of perfectionism or OCD. It may also be a form of criticism used to belittle or control others.

See also

• Perfectionism (psychology)
• Criticism
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Nitpicking Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.

Translate to: East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski