The term 'ACTS SHREWISH' can be broken down into two crossword solutions: ACTS and NAGS. ACTS is an acronym for the five books of the New Testament in the Bible, which are Acts, Corinthians, Thessalonians, Ephesians, and Romans. NAGS is a verb meaning to scold or criticize someone in a persistent and annoying way. Together, these two words describe someone who is constantly criticizing others in a persistent and annoying way, like the character of Kate from Shakespeare's play The Taming of the Shrew.