Word: fastidious
Pronunciation: fas-TI-dee-əs
Part of Speech: adjective
Definition:
- very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail
- very concerned about matters of cleanliness
Source: Oxford Dictionaries
Ana Pascal: My tax files. (pulls out a box full of loose papers)
Harold Crick: You keep your files like this?
Ana: No, actually I’m quite fastidious. I put them in this box just to screw with you.
The above dialogue from the film Stranger Than Fiction is a great example of how the meaning of an uncommon word can be made perfectly clear in context. While being audited by IRS agent Harold Crick, Ana Pascal claims that contrary to his first impression, she’s actually very neat and organized. She makes it clear that the only reason she presents her tax files in such disarray is to spite the “taxman” who’s come to disrupt her life, a plan that pretty much works exactly the way she hoped.
A “fastidious” person is someone who is particularly attentive to detail, especially in matters of cleanliness. Interestingly, this adjective comes from the Latin noun fastidium, which means “loathing” or “squeamishness”. The original definition of the word was “disagreeable” or “disgusting”, and current meanings arose in the 17th century.
Despite its association with cleanliness, “fastidious” might still carry hints of its original definitions. My SAT flashcards, for instance, define the word as “difficult to please” or “squeamish”, suggesting a person whose attention to detail leads them to easily find fault in what they observe. Personally, I prefer the definition used in Stranger Than Fiction, but it’s up to you to figure out how best to work this word into your own writing. Perhaps you can even have fun writing for a character who’s “fastidious” in every way imaginable!
What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?
I personally like the way it’s used in Stranger Than Fiction. I wasn’t aware it comes from such a negative Latin noun. Learn something new every day=)
Neither was I; I was surprised to learn that when I did research for this post. And Ana does use it well in Stranger Than Fiction. Thanks for reading! 🙂
Funny, we just had a writer friend, give us their copy of Stranger than Fiction & we promised to watch it. We have still yet too. Mainly because of being swamped with to many things. But now that it’s made it’s way back into our lap again, I know Mathair will see this as a sign. Meaning right when I leave this blog and discuss the blogs I visited & tell her about your word of the week. She will be like. Okay, we have to watch it. 2 times in one week, it’s a must. I love your blog by the way & had to come on. Mathair is a huge fan of yours. So now it’s my turn. 🙂 I’m gonna knock around and check more posts out but I can already see the allure. Your posts are brilliant & your passion for writing more than obvious in every word you write!! Hope your holidays we’re great & I look forward to coming by more often.
I’d definitely recommend “Stranger Than Fiction”. It’s a great movie; I’m sure you’ll love it! It’s even better for writers, since we get to imagine ourselves in Karen Eiffel’s place. What if our characters turned out to be real people, and we could meet them face to face? Spooky!
Thanks for visiting! I’m glad you’re both enjoying my blog! I look forward to more of your wonderful comments! Happy holidays to you too! 🙂