A small pet peeve is something that particularly irritates someone. Usually, a specific action or behavior, such as not washing dishes after using them, is considered a nuisance. Some people also call pet peeves “pet pix,” referring to the fact that a statement about a pet peeve is often preceded by the words “I really hate it when…” Most people have an assortment of pet peeves, some of which may seem idiosyncratic to outside observers.
The origins of the term seem to date back to the early 1900s, although it is interesting to note that the phrase “take the pet” for “to be offended” has been used since the late 1500s. In this sense, “pet” refers to something personal that particularly annoys someone, rather than a domestic animal. “Peeve” in the sense of something irritating first appeared in 1908 and is related to the word “peevishness,” which means irritable.
Many pet peeves are related to social conventions and hygiene. People might express irritation with those who do not brush their teeth, for example, or with those who refuse to keep to the right when going up escalators. Many pet peeves involve small behaviors that are not very important in the long term, but for some reason, these behaviors are perceived as extremely irritating. Someone might even consider a social cause like spaying and neutering a “pet peeve,” in this case expressing irritation with people who do not alter their animals.
Pet peeves can make a big difference in someone’s life, especially if they are not skilled at dealing with these issues or managing stress. Office environments often serve as breeding grounds for pet peeves, with various people in the office getting fed up with small, innocent actions until they explode with irritation. Teachers and other professionals can also have issues with pet peeves, especially when they see the same mistake repeated over and over again by different people.
Sometimes it can be difficult to rationalize pet peeves, and it is important for people to recognize this. If it is possible to accommodate someone’s pet peeve, this is often the best course of action. On the other hand, if satisfying a pet peeve requires unreasonable levels of effort, it may be a good idea to discuss the issue with the person concerned, to see if it is possible to find a compromise. People should also acknowledge their own pet peeves before casting discredit on others.
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