Peckers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An informal term for various birds known for picking or probing at food; a slang reference used to describe certain actions or behaviors linked to pecking; or an affectionate term that can refer to someone who picks at problems or issues in a light-hearted way
2. A colloquial name for birds that use a pointed bill to break into seeds or insects; slang employed to characterize playful or irritating poking actions; or a whimsical designation for those who habitually scrutinize minor details
3. Referring to birds that peck for sustenance using their beaks; used informally to depict annoying probing actions in social contexts; or a playful term for individuals who have a tendency to delve into trivial matters

Etymology: The plural of "pecker" takes its meaning from the verb "peck," with the suffix "-er" turning the action into the thing that performs it. So a pecker is literally something that pecks, whether a bird, a poker, or a fussy critic. "Peck" descends from Old English "piccian" and the Proto-Germanic "*pikkōną," and it is related to "pick." Middle English formed "pekker" from the verb, and the noun was in use by the time the word reached its present form.

Synonyms: woodpeckers