Anal-retentiveness : Psychological behaviour signals

[Santim Vah]

The term anal-retentive (or anally retentive) is one of a variety of
examples of Freudian terminology that have found their way into common
usage with a slight shift in the original meaning.

Common usage

In common usage, the phrases "anally retentive," "anal-retentive" or
"anal" are used to describe a certain style of behavior, and it is
implied that this is due to a person clenching their anal sphincter,
causing retention of feces. This is not necessarily literally the
case, nor usually even intended literally.

A person characterized as anal-retentive is perceived as worrying
excessively about "passing feces": little details of fecal
consistency, color and aroma or as otherwise being overly uptight or
distressed over ordinarily normal evacuation.

Today, however, the term is often used of anybody seen as overly
worried about small details and unable to adopt a philosophical
attitude toward mistakes.

This metaphorical usage has become so commonplace that the somewhat
graphic literal meaning of the phrase is often overlooked by those
using it.

Another term used in a similar context is "hair-splitting." The
intended implication is that an "anally retentive" person needs to
"loosen up" a little instead of "holding on to it."

The term anal-retentive (or anally retentive, anal retentive) derives
from Freudian Psychology, although in common usage the original
meaning has been altered. This term is often referred to simply as
anal.

Common usage

Conversationally, the term is often used to describe a person deemed
to be overly obsessed with minor details. Its roots are said to be
from the theories of Sigmund Freud.

The term is often used in a derogatory sense to describe a person with
such attention to detail that the obsession becomes an annoyance to
others, and can be carried out to the detriment of the anal-retentive
person.

http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Anal_retentive

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I'm reminded of an old ditty here: Bend over and touch your toes, and
I will show you where the wild goose goes!

Thank You for your kind attention to the above *details*

ROTFLMAO

SEAN