prig
UK: prɪɡ | US: prɪɡ
n. a person who is self-righteously moralistic and fussy about minor points of behavior.
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The origin of "prig" is uncertain, but it first appeared in English in the 16th century, originally meaning "a dandy" or "a thief." By the 18th century, it evolved to describe someone overly concerned with propriety or moral superiority. The word's shift from "thief" to "moralistic person" may reflect societal disdain for hypocritical behavior—those who "steal" virtue by appearing holier-than-thou. Its compact form suggests Germanic or slang origins, though no clear root has been identified.
He was such a prig that he scolded his friends for laughing too loudly.
Don’t be a prig—no one cares if you use the wrong fork at dinner.
Her priggish attitude made her unpopular at parties.
The novel’s villain is a prig who hides his greed behind strict morals.
Modern audiences often find Victorian prigs humorous in their rigidity.