nitpicking

English

noun
Definitions
  • The painstaking process of removing nits (lice eggs) from someone's hair.
  • (figuratively) A process of finding or pointing out tiny details or errors, particularly if the pointed-out details seem insignificant or irrelevant to all but the finder.

Etymology

Compound from English nit (something very small, louse egg) + English picking.

Origin

English

picking

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

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