particular
Fussy, picky, or hard to please about how something gets done.
Also called mighty particular.
Updated September 24, 2026
particular pronunciation
/per-TICK-ler/
Meaning
When country folks say somebody is particular, they mean that person is choosy or hard to satisfy. Mighty particular is the full dose: careful to a fault, or picky enough to wear out the cook. Mama might call a picky kid Particular Sally. It can be praise for careful work or a jab at somebody who won't eat the beans without complaining.
How folks use it
- “She's mighty particular about how you set that table.”
- “Don't be so particular. Eat what's put in front of you.”
Origin and etymology
Standard English particular already meant attentive to detail. Southern and Appalachian talk leaned hard on the fussy sense, especially with intensifiers like mighty. Mountain writers and oral histories use it for careful picking, picky eaters, and exacting habits. Exact folk-origin is just English kept alive in rural speech.
Frequently asked questions
Is particular always an insult?
No. Calling somebody particular about safety or cooking can mean they're careful. Calling them particular about supper usually means they're picky.