Anal retentive

The term anal retentive (or anally retentive) is one of a variety of examples of Freudian terminology which have found their way into common usage with a slight shift in the original meaning.

Common usage

In common usage, the phrases "anally retentive", "anal retentive" or "anal" are used to describe a certain style of behaviour, and it is implied that this is due to a person clenching their anal sphincter, causing retention of feces (although this is not necessarily literally the case, or even intended literally).

Related Topics:
Anal - Sphincter - Feces

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A person characterized as anal retentive is perceived as worrying excessively about "nit-picking": little details of form, style and etiquette; or as otherwise being overly uptight or distressed over ordinarily minor problems.

Related Topics:
Nit-picking - Form - Style - Etiquette

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Another term used in a similar context is "hair splitting". The intended implication is that an "anally retentive" person needs to "loosen up" a little instead of "holding on to it".

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