Single-Word Requests: Word for the Urge to Point Out Minor Mistakes

pejorative-languagesingle-word-requestsword-choice

The words "nitpicking" and "pedantic" actually define this phenomenon of pointing out others' minor mistakes. I have only this urge to do the nitpicking; I don't necessarily point out that petty mistake but I really have this urge to do the nitpicking and give a damn care to the exasperated sighs.

So, is there a good word for this "urge to do the nitpicking"?

Again, I am not asking for words that define this nitpicking phenomenon, just the urge to uphold it.

Edit (choosing the answer):

I kind of liked the phrase obsessive-compulsive corrector suggested by GMB below… its only shortcoming being its being sort of a medical jargon (as well as a phrase).

Then I rediscovered the term twitch, which relates broadly to my urge.

Ermanen came up with probably the best answer — censorious. At first, I didn't like the word, since it described me as a person who finds fault in almost everything. But I guess I can soften it — "I am just a little bit of censorious."

Best Answer

If you want to go with one word, it might be censorious: (or censoriousness for the tendency/urge)

having or showing a tendency to criticize someone or something severely : very critical

The details are more related to psychology but this urge might come from chronic criticism (or having a critical mind).

Psychologytoday mentions that these people are usually self-critical also and this transforms into chronic criticism of others.

Critical people tend to be highly self-critical. As hard as they might be on others, they are usually harder on themselves. They were often criticized as children, at least implicitly - the message was clear that, in important ways, they weren't quite good enough. Self-critical patterns tend to form in early childhood and by late adolescence mutate into chronic criticism of others.

Also mentioned is the characteristics of a chronic critic:

Feels compelled to share an (unfavorable) opinion on just about everything. Has never seen an artistic masterpiece or a preschool graduation that couldn't use a bit of tweaking. Prone to eye rolling, smirking, and/or slow-motion head shaking, as well as a tone best described as oozing with condescension.

Related Topic