I think it makes more sense if you consider the expression "this tickles my fancy". Why do we use "tickle" there? Because a tickle is a type of stimulation, an

I think it makes more sense if you consider the expression "this tickles my fancy". Why do we use "tickle" there? Because a tickle is a type of stimulation, and "fancy" here means "interest", so one is effectively saying "this stimulates my interest". If we then consult Oxford Language's definition of pique, we find: > stimulate (interest or curiosity). "you have piqued my curiosity about the man" The word "piqued" in "this piqued my curiosity" serves as something along the lines of: stimulated, aroused, provoked This is aligned with the French word "piquer", as a "prick" or "sting" (much like a tickle) would stimulate/arouse/provoke.