prickery

English

Etymology

From prick +‎ -ery.

Noun

prickery (uncountable)

1. (slang) The actions or attitudes of a prick; prickish behaviour.

   Synonym: prickishness

   • 2015 July, Michael Hogan, The Telegraph:

     The women's game isn't blighted with nearly as much preening, posing or all-round prickery.

   • 2017, Jules Radcliffe, Penitent Pirate:

     “God's blood, Thomas, self-righteous prickery is not the preserve of the English!”

   • 2018 January 25, Marina Hyde, The Guardian:

     It is hard to zone in on a particular Dragon or ex-Dragon, given the strong claims to prickery of both Peter Jones and Duncan Bannatyne.