finicky

the word 'finicky' emerged in the early 19th century, likely as an alteration of the earlier term 'finicking'. its ultimate origin is obscure but is thought to be connected to the 16th-century word 'finical', describing someone overly precise in dress or manners. this 'finical' may have roots in 'fine', implying excessive refinement. the evolution from a term describing fastidiousness in appearance to one describing fussiness in taste or detail illustrates a semantic broadening, where the core concept of excessive and often annoying selectivity remains constant.

this word is considered a simplex form in modern english. it is likely derived from or influenced by the earlier english word 'finicking', which itself may be related to the obsolete verb 'finical' meaning 'too precise'.