Plockepinn in Swedish, approximately "pickastick".

Edit: thought I read it was of Scandinavian origin, hence my comment. But Wikipedia said european origin. Well well.

I suspect it was invented the first time a parent dropped a pile of sticks because their bored kids were distracting them. “Ok kids, new game, pick those sticks up as quietly and tediously as possible.”

In the US, it was a game called "pick up sticks", and it was tedious and sometimes impossible.

So, this method is well-named at least! :)