'Too pernickety about hygiene'?

**Mehrgan** · 12-Aug-2011, 13:06

Hi there,
Could anyone please tell me if there's any word describing such a person?

Thanks!

**billmcd** · 12-Aug-2011, 13:12

Originally Posted by Mehrgan

Hi there,
Could anyone please tell me if there's any word describing such a person?

Thanks!

Fussy, fastidious, particular.

**SoothingDave** · 12-Aug-2011, 13:24

**BobK** · 12-Aug-2011, 13:32

Originally Posted by billmcd

Fussy, fastidious, particular.

Or over-careful. That sort of person is likely to be a hypochondriac (though it doesn't mean the same).

b

**Mehrgan** · 12-Aug-2011, 15:05

Originally Posted by BobK

Or over-careful. That sort of person is likely to be a hypochondriac (though it doesn't mean the same).

b

Is there any British informal word for this?

Thank you so much!

**Mehrgan** · 12-Aug-2011, 15:21

Originally Posted by SoothingDave

Aren't both spelling right? (I suppose 'persnickety' is more excepted in AmE.)

Thanks dear!

**5jj** · 12-Aug-2011, 15:24

Originally Posted by Mehrgan

Aren't both spelling right? (I suppose 'persnickety' is more excepted in AmE.)

I use pernickety. The ALD notes that this is BrE, persnickety is AmE

**SoothingDave** · 12-Aug-2011, 15:38

Originally Posted by fivejedjon

I use pernickety. The ALD notes that this is BrE, persnickety is AmE

I didn't realize there was a difference. I thought it was a typo.

**5jj** · 12-Aug-2011, 15:47

Originally Posted by SoothingDave

I didn't realize there was a difference. I thought it was a typo.

I didn't, until I read your post.

**Raymott** · 12-Aug-2011, 17:48

Originally Posted by Mehrgan

Hi there,
Could anyone please tell me if there's any word describing such a person?

Thanks!

Hygiene freak; Clean freak; Germ phobic.
Note that words like fussy, overcareful, etc. don't give any hint that you're talking about hygeine.

Thread: 'Too pernickety about hygiene'?