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Glite Dictionary
nose-pick

nose-pick

1 8.6
Putting a finger inside your nose or a person who does this
  • noun
  • /noʊz pɪk/
  • Offensive
translation icon : sacarse los mocos (vulgar)
  • First of all, our host leads off with a very thoughtful discussion on a topic well remarked in the media, including a self-description that had me laughing out loud (nose-picking, armpit-scratching)?

One of the things they told was compulsive nose picking.

Examples

  • Although I am irredeemably an uncouth armpit-scratching, nose-picking, gum-chewing reactionary, I had the residual instinct to remember some basic manners.

    Blog text (16)

  • She caught him in the act of a nose-pick during the meeting.

  • The teacher scolded the child for his habit of nose-picking in class.

  • Many children go through a phase of nose-pick that often embarrasses their parents.

Surface Forms

nose-pick singular
nose-picks plural

Morphology

nose-pick = nose + pick (semi-transparent) = nose + pick

The components 'nose' and 'pick' are clear, but the specific meaning as a noun for the act or person is a specialized usage.

Etymology

Nose-pick joins two simple words: nose, the part of your face, and pick, which can mean 'to pull out', as when you pick a flower. So a nose-pick is literally the act of 'pulling something out of the nose', and people use it for the action or to call someone rude.