Thread: meticulous

Maybe.
Sadly enough, I can't add anything to your post since I'm not a native English speaker.

Originally Posted by DDT

Originally Posted by ReDSanchous

Look at what I have found in the English dictionary.

anal or anal-retentive - giving too much attention to details in a way that annoys people
© Macmillan Publishers Ltd. 2002

kalinka_vinnie you've never heard this before?

I think that the dictionary is wrong. It is hard to describe "anal retentive" and the dictionary tries to give too simple of an answer.

But the dictionary is certainly on the money with the "Anal" meaning, as I've pointed out in my previous post.

And what about the word 'anal-retentive'? Is the dictionary wrong or right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anal-retentive

A person characterized as anal retentive is perceived as worrying excessively about "passing feces": little details of fecal consistancy, color and aroma; or as otherwise being overly uptight or distressed over ordinarily normal evacuation.

Today, however, the term is often used of anybody seen as overly worried about small details and unable to adopt a philosophical attitude toward mistakes. This metaphorical usage has become so commonplace that the somewhat graphic literal meaning of the phrase is often overlooked by those using it.

If someone gets their work done perfect to the last detail, they are very meticulous. If they go out of their way to find fault in others, they are being anal.
-Fantom