Bad-tempered, grumpy, or irritable; prone to complaining or being difficult with others.
From 'crab' (the animal known for walking sideways and pinching) + suffix '-y.' The comparison to crabs' sideways movement and defensive behavior created the metaphor for difficult personality in the 1600s.
The word 'crabby' actually comes from the crab's sideways motion—people who move awkwardly or refuse to cooperate are like crabs walking backwards, which is why the metaphor stuck!
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