“To split hairs” vs “To be pedantic” The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are InDetermining sequenceHow would “Do you know what happened?” be understood?What expression should I use in this case?“Did you have the chance” or “Had you got the chance”?What is the difference between 'seemed disappointed' and 'seemed to be disappointed'?Forge Vs CounterfeitOn (at) a moment(')s notice?“both truth and beauty on my love depends” - why not “depend”? Is “depends” a plural verb (a Shakespearean website says so)?What is armchair science?When your spirits are not adapted to a particular situation

Can withdrawing asylum be illegal?

How to type a long/em dash `—`

What do these terms in Caesar's Gallic wars mean?

Relationship between Gromov-Witten and Taubes' Gromov invariant

Flight paths in orbit around Ceres?

What is this sharp, curved notch on my knife for?

Accepted by European university, rejected by all American ones I applied to? Possible reasons?

Getting crown tickets for Statue of Liberty

How can I define good in a religion that claims no moral authority?

How to obtain a position of last non-zero element

Is it okay to consider publishing in my first year of PhD?

How to notate time signature switching consistently every measure

How do I free up internal storage if I don't have any apps downloaded?

Is it correct to say the Neural Networks are an alternative way of performing Maximum Likelihood Estimation? if not, why?

Correct punctuation for showing a character's confusion

Is it safe to harvest rainwater that fell on solar panels?

Loose spokes after only a few rides

Kerning for subscripts of sigma?

Mathematics of imaging the black hole

Deal with toxic manager when you can't quit

What is the light source in the black hole images?

What is this business jet?

Why couldn't they take pictures of a closer black hole?

Pokemon Turn Based battle (Python)



“To split hairs” vs “To be pedantic”



The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are InDetermining sequenceHow would “Do you know what happened?” be understood?What expression should I use in this case?“Did you have the chance” or “Had you got the chance”?What is the difference between 'seemed disappointed' and 'seemed to be disappointed'?Forge Vs CounterfeitOn (at) a moment(')s notice?“both truth and beauty on my love depends” - why not “depend”? Is “depends” a plural verb (a Shakespearean website says so)?What is armchair science?When your spirits are not adapted to a particular situation



.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;








9















How shall I semantically distinguish to be pedantic and splitting hairs while they both indicate the same message about a person who is paying too much attention to some unnecessary details?










share|improve this question






























    9















    How shall I semantically distinguish to be pedantic and splitting hairs while they both indicate the same message about a person who is paying too much attention to some unnecessary details?










    share|improve this question


























      9












      9








      9


      2






      How shall I semantically distinguish to be pedantic and splitting hairs while they both indicate the same message about a person who is paying too much attention to some unnecessary details?










      share|improve this question
















      How shall I semantically distinguish to be pedantic and splitting hairs while they both indicate the same message about a person who is paying too much attention to some unnecessary details?







      verbs phrases






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited 2 days ago









      Astralbee

      14.8k1554




      14.8k1554










      asked 2 days ago









      A-friendA-friend

      4,1191570151




      4,1191570151




















          4 Answers
          4






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          16














          To be pedantic means to be excessively concerned with minor details.



          "Splitting hairs" is a kind of pedantry, but more specific. It is used when someone focuses on a minute difference between two things.



          Example of pedantic:




          Person 1: This record is from the 1980s.

          Person 2: Actually it was originally released in 1979 and then re-released in 1981 so technically it is a 1970s record.




          This is pedantry because person 2 has corrected a minor detail.



          Example of splitting hairs:




          Person 1: This is a great vinyl record.

          Person 2: Technically it is polyvinyl chloride.




          I would say this is "splitting hairs" because person 2 hasn't really corrected a mistake - records are commonly referred to as 'vinyl', and polyvinyl chloride is a derivative of vinyl - but they have drawn attention to a difference that doesn't really matter.






          share|improve this answer

























          • Many thanks, but it is not still quite clear to me! Do you think it can being pedantic is a matter of obsession OR sort of being so strict or hard on sb and showing a depecating attitude towards someone?!

            – A-friend
            2 days ago






          • 46





            Though really, arguing over the difference between "splitting hairs" and "being pedantic" is - well, you know...

            – Darrel Hoffman
            2 days ago











          • So, you're a fan of London Calling?

            – The Photon
            2 days ago











          • "Technically it polyvinyl chloride": It would be pedantry to point out that the word 'is' is missing here.

            – Alexandre Cassagne
            2 days ago











          • I agree with all but its worth noting that it being pedantic implies the difference doesn't matter. If, for example, the exact date of the releases matters, such as for a priority dispute in a copyright case, then correcting the minor detail is not being pedantic.

            – TimothyAWiseman
            2 days ago


















          1














          The two are similar in the focus on details, however, pedantry involves an educational arrogance, or a pretentious display of learning or college pedigree.






          share|improve this answer






























            0














            Your question is pedantic in that it is excessively concerned with correct details (which of two similar terms should be used). The answerers suggesting differences between the two terms are splitting hairs – that is they are positing minor technical differences between two very similar things.






            share|improve this answer






























              -1














              The OED defines splitting hairs as:




              b. to make fine or subtle distinctions, esp. in argument or controversy; to be over-subtle or captious.




              While a pedant (or someone who is pedantic) is:




              2. A person who excessively reveres or parades academic learning or technical knowledge, often without discrimination or practical judgement. Hence also: one who is excessively concerned with accuracy over trifling details of knowledge, or who insists on strict adherence to formal rules or literal meaning.




              So I'd say "splitting hairs" is actually a subset of pedantic. I disagree with @Astralbee's examples, I think they're both splitting hairs--they are both making fine or subtle distinctions after all.



              A better example of something that is pedantic but not splitting hairs would be something like the quote from Nature: weekly journal of science in 1993:




              The book's arguments are not well served by a somewhat pedantic writing style, too full of fancy words such as ‘evidencing’, ‘processual’,..and ‘juridicial’.







              share|improve this answer























                Your Answer








                StackExchange.ready(function()
                var channelOptions =
                tags: "".split(" "),
                id: "481"
                ;
                initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

                StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
                // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
                if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
                StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
                createEditor();
                );

                else
                createEditor();

                );

                function createEditor()
                StackExchange.prepareEditor(
                heartbeatType: 'answer',
                autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
                convertImagesToLinks: false,
                noModals: true,
                showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
                reputationToPostImages: null,
                bindNavPrevention: true,
                postfix: "",
                imageUploader:
                brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
                contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
                allowUrls: true
                ,
                noCode: true, onDemand: true,
                discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
                ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
                );



                );













                draft saved

                draft discarded


















                StackExchange.ready(
                function ()
                StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fell.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f204620%2fto-split-hairs-vs-to-be-pedantic%23new-answer', 'question_page');

                );

                Post as a guest















                Required, but never shown

























                4 Answers
                4






                active

                oldest

                votes








                4 Answers
                4






                active

                oldest

                votes









                active

                oldest

                votes






                active

                oldest

                votes









                16














                To be pedantic means to be excessively concerned with minor details.



                "Splitting hairs" is a kind of pedantry, but more specific. It is used when someone focuses on a minute difference between two things.



                Example of pedantic:




                Person 1: This record is from the 1980s.

                Person 2: Actually it was originally released in 1979 and then re-released in 1981 so technically it is a 1970s record.




                This is pedantry because person 2 has corrected a minor detail.



                Example of splitting hairs:




                Person 1: This is a great vinyl record.

                Person 2: Technically it is polyvinyl chloride.




                I would say this is "splitting hairs" because person 2 hasn't really corrected a mistake - records are commonly referred to as 'vinyl', and polyvinyl chloride is a derivative of vinyl - but they have drawn attention to a difference that doesn't really matter.






                share|improve this answer

























                • Many thanks, but it is not still quite clear to me! Do you think it can being pedantic is a matter of obsession OR sort of being so strict or hard on sb and showing a depecating attitude towards someone?!

                  – A-friend
                  2 days ago






                • 46





                  Though really, arguing over the difference between "splitting hairs" and "being pedantic" is - well, you know...

                  – Darrel Hoffman
                  2 days ago











                • So, you're a fan of London Calling?

                  – The Photon
                  2 days ago











                • "Technically it polyvinyl chloride": It would be pedantry to point out that the word 'is' is missing here.

                  – Alexandre Cassagne
                  2 days ago











                • I agree with all but its worth noting that it being pedantic implies the difference doesn't matter. If, for example, the exact date of the releases matters, such as for a priority dispute in a copyright case, then correcting the minor detail is not being pedantic.

                  – TimothyAWiseman
                  2 days ago















                16














                To be pedantic means to be excessively concerned with minor details.



                "Splitting hairs" is a kind of pedantry, but more specific. It is used when someone focuses on a minute difference between two things.



                Example of pedantic:




                Person 1: This record is from the 1980s.

                Person 2: Actually it was originally released in 1979 and then re-released in 1981 so technically it is a 1970s record.




                This is pedantry because person 2 has corrected a minor detail.



                Example of splitting hairs:




                Person 1: This is a great vinyl record.

                Person 2: Technically it is polyvinyl chloride.




                I would say this is "splitting hairs" because person 2 hasn't really corrected a mistake - records are commonly referred to as 'vinyl', and polyvinyl chloride is a derivative of vinyl - but they have drawn attention to a difference that doesn't really matter.






                share|improve this answer

























                • Many thanks, but it is not still quite clear to me! Do you think it can being pedantic is a matter of obsession OR sort of being so strict or hard on sb and showing a depecating attitude towards someone?!

                  – A-friend
                  2 days ago






                • 46





                  Though really, arguing over the difference between "splitting hairs" and "being pedantic" is - well, you know...

                  – Darrel Hoffman
                  2 days ago











                • So, you're a fan of London Calling?

                  – The Photon
                  2 days ago











                • "Technically it polyvinyl chloride": It would be pedantry to point out that the word 'is' is missing here.

                  – Alexandre Cassagne
                  2 days ago











                • I agree with all but its worth noting that it being pedantic implies the difference doesn't matter. If, for example, the exact date of the releases matters, such as for a priority dispute in a copyright case, then correcting the minor detail is not being pedantic.

                  – TimothyAWiseman
                  2 days ago













                16












                16








                16







                To be pedantic means to be excessively concerned with minor details.



                "Splitting hairs" is a kind of pedantry, but more specific. It is used when someone focuses on a minute difference between two things.



                Example of pedantic:




                Person 1: This record is from the 1980s.

                Person 2: Actually it was originally released in 1979 and then re-released in 1981 so technically it is a 1970s record.




                This is pedantry because person 2 has corrected a minor detail.



                Example of splitting hairs:




                Person 1: This is a great vinyl record.

                Person 2: Technically it is polyvinyl chloride.




                I would say this is "splitting hairs" because person 2 hasn't really corrected a mistake - records are commonly referred to as 'vinyl', and polyvinyl chloride is a derivative of vinyl - but they have drawn attention to a difference that doesn't really matter.






                share|improve this answer















                To be pedantic means to be excessively concerned with minor details.



                "Splitting hairs" is a kind of pedantry, but more specific. It is used when someone focuses on a minute difference between two things.



                Example of pedantic:




                Person 1: This record is from the 1980s.

                Person 2: Actually it was originally released in 1979 and then re-released in 1981 so technically it is a 1970s record.




                This is pedantry because person 2 has corrected a minor detail.



                Example of splitting hairs:




                Person 1: This is a great vinyl record.

                Person 2: Technically it is polyvinyl chloride.




                I would say this is "splitting hairs" because person 2 hasn't really corrected a mistake - records are commonly referred to as 'vinyl', and polyvinyl chloride is a derivative of vinyl - but they have drawn attention to a difference that doesn't really matter.







                share|improve this answer














                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer








                edited yesterday

























                answered 2 days ago









                AstralbeeAstralbee

                14.8k1554




                14.8k1554












                • Many thanks, but it is not still quite clear to me! Do you think it can being pedantic is a matter of obsession OR sort of being so strict or hard on sb and showing a depecating attitude towards someone?!

                  – A-friend
                  2 days ago






                • 46





                  Though really, arguing over the difference between "splitting hairs" and "being pedantic" is - well, you know...

                  – Darrel Hoffman
                  2 days ago











                • So, you're a fan of London Calling?

                  – The Photon
                  2 days ago











                • "Technically it polyvinyl chloride": It would be pedantry to point out that the word 'is' is missing here.

                  – Alexandre Cassagne
                  2 days ago











                • I agree with all but its worth noting that it being pedantic implies the difference doesn't matter. If, for example, the exact date of the releases matters, such as for a priority dispute in a copyright case, then correcting the minor detail is not being pedantic.

                  – TimothyAWiseman
                  2 days ago

















                • Many thanks, but it is not still quite clear to me! Do you think it can being pedantic is a matter of obsession OR sort of being so strict or hard on sb and showing a depecating attitude towards someone?!

                  – A-friend
                  2 days ago






                • 46





                  Though really, arguing over the difference between "splitting hairs" and "being pedantic" is - well, you know...

                  – Darrel Hoffman
                  2 days ago











                • So, you're a fan of London Calling?

                  – The Photon
                  2 days ago











                • "Technically it polyvinyl chloride": It would be pedantry to point out that the word 'is' is missing here.

                  – Alexandre Cassagne
                  2 days ago











                • I agree with all but its worth noting that it being pedantic implies the difference doesn't matter. If, for example, the exact date of the releases matters, such as for a priority dispute in a copyright case, then correcting the minor detail is not being pedantic.

                  – TimothyAWiseman
                  2 days ago
















                Many thanks, but it is not still quite clear to me! Do you think it can being pedantic is a matter of obsession OR sort of being so strict or hard on sb and showing a depecating attitude towards someone?!

                – A-friend
                2 days ago





                Many thanks, but it is not still quite clear to me! Do you think it can being pedantic is a matter of obsession OR sort of being so strict or hard on sb and showing a depecating attitude towards someone?!

                – A-friend
                2 days ago




                46




                46





                Though really, arguing over the difference between "splitting hairs" and "being pedantic" is - well, you know...

                – Darrel Hoffman
                2 days ago





                Though really, arguing over the difference between "splitting hairs" and "being pedantic" is - well, you know...

                – Darrel Hoffman
                2 days ago













                So, you're a fan of London Calling?

                – The Photon
                2 days ago





                So, you're a fan of London Calling?

                – The Photon
                2 days ago













                "Technically it polyvinyl chloride": It would be pedantry to point out that the word 'is' is missing here.

                – Alexandre Cassagne
                2 days ago





                "Technically it polyvinyl chloride": It would be pedantry to point out that the word 'is' is missing here.

                – Alexandre Cassagne
                2 days ago













                I agree with all but its worth noting that it being pedantic implies the difference doesn't matter. If, for example, the exact date of the releases matters, such as for a priority dispute in a copyright case, then correcting the minor detail is not being pedantic.

                – TimothyAWiseman
                2 days ago





                I agree with all but its worth noting that it being pedantic implies the difference doesn't matter. If, for example, the exact date of the releases matters, such as for a priority dispute in a copyright case, then correcting the minor detail is not being pedantic.

                – TimothyAWiseman
                2 days ago













                1














                The two are similar in the focus on details, however, pedantry involves an educational arrogance, or a pretentious display of learning or college pedigree.






                share|improve this answer



























                  1














                  The two are similar in the focus on details, however, pedantry involves an educational arrogance, or a pretentious display of learning or college pedigree.






                  share|improve this answer

























                    1












                    1








                    1







                    The two are similar in the focus on details, however, pedantry involves an educational arrogance, or a pretentious display of learning or college pedigree.






                    share|improve this answer













                    The two are similar in the focus on details, however, pedantry involves an educational arrogance, or a pretentious display of learning or college pedigree.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 2 days ago









                    WyrmwoodWyrmwood

                    1593




                    1593





















                        0














                        Your question is pedantic in that it is excessively concerned with correct details (which of two similar terms should be used). The answerers suggesting differences between the two terms are splitting hairs – that is they are positing minor technical differences between two very similar things.






                        share|improve this answer



























                          0














                          Your question is pedantic in that it is excessively concerned with correct details (which of two similar terms should be used). The answerers suggesting differences between the two terms are splitting hairs – that is they are positing minor technical differences between two very similar things.






                          share|improve this answer

























                            0












                            0








                            0







                            Your question is pedantic in that it is excessively concerned with correct details (which of two similar terms should be used). The answerers suggesting differences between the two terms are splitting hairs – that is they are positing minor technical differences between two very similar things.






                            share|improve this answer













                            Your question is pedantic in that it is excessively concerned with correct details (which of two similar terms should be used). The answerers suggesting differences between the two terms are splitting hairs – that is they are positing minor technical differences between two very similar things.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered yesterday









                            AlexAlex

                            1,231211




                            1,231211





















                                -1














                                The OED defines splitting hairs as:




                                b. to make fine or subtle distinctions, esp. in argument or controversy; to be over-subtle or captious.




                                While a pedant (or someone who is pedantic) is:




                                2. A person who excessively reveres or parades academic learning or technical knowledge, often without discrimination or practical judgement. Hence also: one who is excessively concerned with accuracy over trifling details of knowledge, or who insists on strict adherence to formal rules or literal meaning.




                                So I'd say "splitting hairs" is actually a subset of pedantic. I disagree with @Astralbee's examples, I think they're both splitting hairs--they are both making fine or subtle distinctions after all.



                                A better example of something that is pedantic but not splitting hairs would be something like the quote from Nature: weekly journal of science in 1993:




                                The book's arguments are not well served by a somewhat pedantic writing style, too full of fancy words such as ‘evidencing’, ‘processual’,..and ‘juridicial’.







                                share|improve this answer



























                                  -1














                                  The OED defines splitting hairs as:




                                  b. to make fine or subtle distinctions, esp. in argument or controversy; to be over-subtle or captious.




                                  While a pedant (or someone who is pedantic) is:




                                  2. A person who excessively reveres or parades academic learning or technical knowledge, often without discrimination or practical judgement. Hence also: one who is excessively concerned with accuracy over trifling details of knowledge, or who insists on strict adherence to formal rules or literal meaning.




                                  So I'd say "splitting hairs" is actually a subset of pedantic. I disagree with @Astralbee's examples, I think they're both splitting hairs--they are both making fine or subtle distinctions after all.



                                  A better example of something that is pedantic but not splitting hairs would be something like the quote from Nature: weekly journal of science in 1993:




                                  The book's arguments are not well served by a somewhat pedantic writing style, too full of fancy words such as ‘evidencing’, ‘processual’,..and ‘juridicial’.







                                  share|improve this answer

























                                    -1












                                    -1








                                    -1







                                    The OED defines splitting hairs as:




                                    b. to make fine or subtle distinctions, esp. in argument or controversy; to be over-subtle or captious.




                                    While a pedant (or someone who is pedantic) is:




                                    2. A person who excessively reveres or parades academic learning or technical knowledge, often without discrimination or practical judgement. Hence also: one who is excessively concerned with accuracy over trifling details of knowledge, or who insists on strict adherence to formal rules or literal meaning.




                                    So I'd say "splitting hairs" is actually a subset of pedantic. I disagree with @Astralbee's examples, I think they're both splitting hairs--they are both making fine or subtle distinctions after all.



                                    A better example of something that is pedantic but not splitting hairs would be something like the quote from Nature: weekly journal of science in 1993:




                                    The book's arguments are not well served by a somewhat pedantic writing style, too full of fancy words such as ‘evidencing’, ‘processual’,..and ‘juridicial’.







                                    share|improve this answer













                                    The OED defines splitting hairs as:




                                    b. to make fine or subtle distinctions, esp. in argument or controversy; to be over-subtle or captious.




                                    While a pedant (or someone who is pedantic) is:




                                    2. A person who excessively reveres or parades academic learning or technical knowledge, often without discrimination or practical judgement. Hence also: one who is excessively concerned with accuracy over trifling details of knowledge, or who insists on strict adherence to formal rules or literal meaning.




                                    So I'd say "splitting hairs" is actually a subset of pedantic. I disagree with @Astralbee's examples, I think they're both splitting hairs--they are both making fine or subtle distinctions after all.



                                    A better example of something that is pedantic but not splitting hairs would be something like the quote from Nature: weekly journal of science in 1993:




                                    The book's arguments are not well served by a somewhat pedantic writing style, too full of fancy words such as ‘evidencing’, ‘processual’,..and ‘juridicial’.








                                    share|improve this answer












                                    share|improve this answer



                                    share|improve this answer










                                    answered 2 days ago









                                    scohe001scohe001

                                    1614




                                    1614



























                                        draft saved

                                        draft discarded
















































                                        Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language Learners Stack Exchange!


                                        • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

                                        But avoid


                                        • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

                                        • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.

                                        To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




                                        draft saved


                                        draft discarded














                                        StackExchange.ready(
                                        function ()
                                        StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fell.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f204620%2fto-split-hairs-vs-to-be-pedantic%23new-answer', 'question_page');

                                        );

                                        Post as a guest















                                        Required, but never shown





















































                                        Required, but never shown














                                        Required, but never shown












                                        Required, but never shown







                                        Required, but never shown

































                                        Required, but never shown














                                        Required, but never shown












                                        Required, but never shown







                                        Required, but never shown







                                        Popular posts from this blog

                                        Tamil (spriik) Luke uk diar | Nawigatjuun

                                        Align equal signs while including text over equalitiesAMS align: left aligned text/math plus multicolumn alignmentMultiple alignmentsAligning equations in multiple placesNumbering and aligning an equation with multiple columnsHow to align one equation with another multline equationUsing \ in environments inside the begintabularxNumber equations and preserving alignment of equal signsHow can I align equations to the left and to the right?Double equation alignment problem within align enviromentAligned within align: Why are they right-aligned?

                                        Training a classifier when some of the features are unknownWhy does Gradient Boosting regression predict negative values when there are no negative y-values in my training set?How to improve an existing (trained) classifier?What is effect when I set up some self defined predisctor variables?Why Matlab neural network classification returns decimal values on prediction dataset?Fitting and transforming text data in training, testing, and validation setsHow to quantify the performance of the classifier (multi-class SVM) using the test data?How do I control for some patients providing multiple samples in my training data?Training and Test setTraining a convolutional neural network for image denoising in MatlabShouldn't an autoencoder with #(neurons in hidden layer) = #(neurons in input layer) be “perfect”?