Wayne’s Word – Pernickety

It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.

If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord

Today’s word is PERNICKETY.

If you are from Northern Ireland, you will have probably heard this word plenty of times.

It’s the word we reach for when someone is being a bit too fussy or particular about something. Maybe you have to use a certain spatula when making fried eggs, or your mom insists the biscuits go in that tin and no other. That’s pernickety.

We don’t ‘usually’ mean it in a cruel way, in fact, it can be affectionate. “Oh she’s pernickity about her tea,” someone might say with a grin, knowing it has to be strong enough to look like tar.

Americans might call it persnickety, but in the UK and Ireland, it is simply pernickety. It is one of those words that just sounds like what it means, neat, picky, and a wee bit finicky.