Waspish
Etymology
Formed straightforwardly in English from "wasp" plus the ending -ish, drawing on the insect’s reputation for a sudden, painful sting. The metaphor does all the work: a waspish person stings with words the way a wasp stings on the slightest disturbance. There is also an old, probably coincidental echo of "waspish" meaning slender-waisted, but the sense we use is purely about the sting.
adjective · /WOS-pish/
Sharply irritable and given to making cutting, spiteful remarks.
What it names
The snappish temper of someone whose annoyance comes out in quick, stinging little jabs.
Example
Tired and underslept, she grew waspish, snapping at colleagues over trivial mistakes.
Related idea
Petulant is childish, sulky bad temper; waspish is sharper and more verbal, defined by quick, spiteful stings rather than pouting.