2007-02-09 00:43:10 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
In common usuage, it refers to a person who is obsessed with small details or generally uptight.
The phrase comes from Freud's phsycological theories. An anal retentive is someone who derives pleasure from holding in bowel movements, therby exerting control.
2007-02-12 13:55:36 · answer #1 · answered by Salek 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say anal as in being a bit obsessed with something, like people that are overly clean etc are very anal about cleanliness.
2007-02-09 01:23:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a metaphor which refers to people being anal retentative. (They can't go...) The metaphor refers to them being uncomfortable, overly-serious and a bit slow to catch jokes and the like. Also when they are obsessed with things. A similar metaphor to having a stick up the *rs*.
2007-02-09 01:22:02 · answer #3 · answered by dead_elves 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Uptight
2007-02-09 01:50:39 · answer #4 · answered by KathyS 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋