Is there a word to describe "being formal for the sake of being formal"?


I was recently chastised at work for using the word "cool" in an email chain--an act that I attribute to being overly-formal for no other reason than to uphold an unnecessarily perceived "law" of formality. Is there an English word that would better describe this?



Answer



The apt words are


Prig



a person who displays or demands of others pointlessly precise conformity, fussiness about trivialities, or exaggerated propriety, especially in a self-righteous or irritating manner.



Prude



a person who is excessively proper or modest in speech, conduct, dress, etc.



Pedant



a person who overemphasizes rules or minor details.


a person who adheres rigidly to book knowledge without regard to common sense.



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