The word “pedantic” refers to someone who is overly concerned with minor details, rules, or academic knowledge, often in a showy or pretentious manner. It describes a person who is excessively focused on correctness and precision, often to the point of being annoying or tedious.
Interesting fact: The term “pedantic” originated from the Latin word “paedagogus,” which means “teacher” or “schoolmaster.” It later evolved into the Italian word “pedante,” referring to a teacher or someone who was overly concerned with formalities. The word eventually made its way into English in the 17th century with its current meaning.