puntiglio

Puntiglio is an Italian word that translates to "quibble," "nitpick," or "cavil" in English. It refers to a minor, often insignificant, detail or objection that is raised in an argument or discussion. Someone exhibiting puntiglio tends to focus on small points of contention, sometimes to the detriment of the larger issue at hand. It can be seen as a form of pedantry, where the exact meaning of words or the precision of details is emphasized excessively.

The term often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting that the person is being overly argumentative or difficult. It can imply a tendency to find fault or to raise objections for the sake of doing so, rather than for genuine constructive purposes. While sometimes such attention to detail can be useful in clarifying complex matters, puntiglio generally suggests an unnecessary or irritating focus on trivialities. It is a behavior that can disrupt productive conversation or decision-making by diverting attention to unimportant distinctions.