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Anonymous Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

fussy & Picky

Can these be used interchangeably?

THanks
  

Top answer

They are pretty much interchangeable, yes, although "fussy" seems more all-inclusive to me, "picky" concentrating more on fussiness when making a choice, "fussy" applying to all sorts of fastidious habits and behaviors. CJ

  • They are pretty much interchangeable, yes, although "fussy" seems more all-inclusive to me, "picky" concentrating more on fussiness when making a choice, "fussy" applying to all sorts of fastidious habits and behaviors.
  • CJ
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3 Answers
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They are pretty much interchangeable, yes, although "fussy" seems more all-inclusive to me, "picky" concentrating more on fussiness when making a choice, "fussy" applying to all sorts of fastidious habits and behaviors.

CJ
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CalifJimThey are pretty much interchangeable, yes, although "fussy" seems more all-inclusive to me, "picky" concentrating more on fussiness when making a choice, "fussy" applying to all sorts of fastidious habits and behaviors.

CJ

Now you're just being fussy
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Hi,

My Oxford Dictionary notes that 'picky' is informal.

I see it as one of those 'baby-talk words' that people began to use with their children, and as the children grew up, some of these words began to enter more deeply into the language.

I'd consider a word like 'scary' to be another example of the same phenomenon.

Best wishes, Clive

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