Pedantic
/pəˈdæn.tɪk/noun
Excessively concerned with minor details or rules, especially in an irritating way.
Did you know?Pedantic comes through French from Italian pedante, originally a schoolmaster or tutor, and its deeper ancestry is uncertain but often linked to Greek paidagōgos, the slave who escorted and supervised a child.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
paidagōgós
“A slave who escorted a child to school and supervised him; later, a tutor or guide.”
Late Latin
LL
paedagogus
“A tutor or schoolmaster.”
Medieval Latin / Italian
It/Lat
pedante
“A schoolmaster, tutor, or learned person.”
16th Century
French
pédant
“A schoolmaster; later, a person who shows off learning.”
Late 16th Century
English
pedantic
“Pertaining to a pedant; overly academic or fussy.”
Explore more surprising origins