pesky etymology

Etymology:

• Middle English: peski, from Old English pesig ("pesky, vexatious")
• Proto-Germanic: pasigaz ("irritating, burdensome")
• Proto-Indo-European: *pek- ("to bother, annoy")

Meaning:

• Troubling or annoying, especially in a petty or irritating manner.

Origin:

The word "pesky" is thought to have originated as a term used to describe insects or other small creatures that were found to be annoying or bothersome. Over time, the usage of the word expanded to include people or things that are irritating or vexing, even if they are not physically present.

The word is closely related to the word "plague," which comes from the same Proto-Indo-European root (*pek-). Both words refer to something that is annoying or bothersome, but "pesky" typically implies a lesser degree of annoyance than "plague."

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