"fussy"...for hygiene?

[Mehrgan]

Hi,

Could you please tell me if "fussy" can be used for someone who's very sensitive about hygiene in their environment? A person who washes their hands all the time, don't touch items used by others, etc.

Any informal term used to refer to such people? Many thanks in advance.

 

[Barb_D]

A germophobe, or if it's really pathological, it's OCD.

 

[lauralie2]

'Fussy' is too mild; besides, it implies a choice; e.g., I am fussy about what I eat; he's fussy about who he will date.

Germaphobe comes to mind, as does OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder).

 

[lauralie2]

A germophobe, or if it's really pathological, it's OCD.

We think alike.

 

[Barb_D]

I think your spelling of this made-up word is better, though.

 

[lauralie2]

I think your spelling of this made-up word is better, though.

Webster's gives only the o-spelling (first used 1922, which according to the date seems to be the traditional spelling); most dictionaries don't have a listing for either spelling, and the ones that do list it give the a-spelling. I (wonder which spelling will win out?)

"This phobia is sometimes referred to as germophobia (or germaphobia,...."

Source: Germophobia | germaphobes


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What's funny is that in the Source listing (directly above) the phobia has -o- and the person with the phobia has -a-; moreover, in defining what it is, they list the o-spelling first and place the a-spelling in brackets on an aside, but on their homepage they say,

Welcome to GERMAPHOBES.COM (with an A) Yes – it is also spelled germophobes (with an O).


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This one's funny too:

Q: How do you spell germophobe?
A: Germaphobe

Source


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The person asking the question uses the traditional spelling with -o- and is told -a- is the correct spelling. That's too funny.

 

[Mehrgan]

Thanks to you both. Please could you tell me if there's any informal/slang term for such people?

Thanks.