Definition of fussiness

The word "fussiness" is a Charles Dickens creation, derived from the verb "to fuss," which means to be overly concerned or anxious about something. Dickens coined the term "fussbudget" to describe a character in his novel "Martin Chuzzlewit" who was excessively meticulous and obsessed with small details. The term "fussbudget" became popular and was eventually shortened to "fussiness" in the late 19th century. Fussiness can be seen as a modern-day manifestation of Dickens' "fussbudget" character, referred to as someone who is excessively finicky, picky, or difficult about small things. In essence, fussiness arises from a predisposition that prioritizes perfection at the expense of practicality, often resulting in unnecessary fusses or burdens for others. The word carries a connotation of annoyance or irritation, which can lead people to avoid or discount such perceived "fussy" behavior.