Picky-picky

adjective PICK-y-PICK-y ˈpɪki ˈpɪki

Also spelled picky picky, piki-piki

Of hair: short, tightly-coiled, and matted or unkempt — 'picky-picky head' describes very kinky, nappy hair, especially when it hasn't been combed or groomed. Can also mean over-fussy or choosy about small things, though the hair sense is the main one.

  • Comb di pickney picky-picky head before school.

    Comb the child's nappy hair before school.

  • Him hair grow out all picky-picky.

    His hair grew out all short and kinky.

  • She too picky-picky bout weh she eat.

    She's too fussy about what she eats.

A reduplication suggesting many tight little points or 'picks' of coiled hair; the 'fussy' sense comes from the English 'picky'.

Chiefly of tightly-coiled/unkempt hair ('picky-picky head'); secondarily 'fussy/choosy'. Descriptive, but can sound critical.