nitpicky

[Mark_Mandel at DRAGONSYS.COM]

"PAT" (P2052 at AOL.COM) wrote:

>>>>>
I don't intend to nitpick, either, but this is not the first time I've
encountered the verb, "nitpick," used as adjective, as in "nitpicky." Is this
usage geographically determined, or has it been validated via some legitimate
source?  The first time I heard a speaker use it (around 1989), another
listener "corrected" her (This interplay occurred several times.)  What's the
word on this issue?
<<<<<

I've seen that, now that you mention it. I prefer "nit-picking".

Grew up NYC, 50s-60s; Berkeley '73-'81; Boston area since.

   Mark A. Mandel : Senior Linguist and Manager of Acoustic Data
         Mark_Mandel at dragonsys.com : Dragon Systems, Inc.
 320 Nevada St., Newton, MA 02460, USA : http://www.dragonsys.com/
                     (speaking for myself)