Nag

Nag

Verb / Noun · /næɡ/

Definition

(Verb) to annoy or irritate someone with persistent complaints, requests, or criticism; to find fault repeatedly; (Noun) a person who nags persistently; an old or inferior horse.

Origin

Probably from Scandinavian — compare Norwegian and Swedish nagga (to gnaw, nibble, irritate), Danish nage (to gnaw). The sense of persistent irritating complaint entering English in the early 19th century. The noun sense of an old or worn-out horse being from a different probable root — Middle English nagge, of uncertain origin, possibly Low German or Dutch. Both senses now fully established in standard English informal register.