vagel i ögat

Etymology
Compound of.

Originally from the Bible quote Numbers 33:55, "But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell."

Today's use of the synonymous idiom is most likely due to unfamiliarity with the archaic meaning of, which today often refers to a finger nail.

In 1917's Swedish translation of the Bible has been translated to  and in 2000's translation as.

Noun

 * 1)  A stye in the eye.
 * 2)  A source of irritation, chagrin, vexation or annoyance.
 * 1)  A source of irritation, chagrin, vexation or annoyance.