stickler

From Middle English stighteler, stytelere, equivalent to stickle +‎ -er. The judges at Cornish wrestling matches do indeed carry sticks which serve for signalling and as a badge of their office. This practice has evolved from holding swords and then swordsticks.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈstɪk.lə/

  • Audio (Southern England):

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stickler (plural sticklers)

1. (now only Cornwall) A referee or adjudicator at a fight, wrestling match, duel, etc. who ensures fair play.
   • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 27, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes , book II, London: Val Simmes for Edward Blount , →OCLC:

     In ancient time they were wont to employ third persons as sticklers, to see no treachery or disorder were used, and to beare witnes of the combates successe.

   • c. 1580 (date written), Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “ Chapter 1”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC, folio 105, recto:

     Basilius, the judge, appointed sticklers and trumpets whom the others should obey.

   • 1658, John Dryden, Stanza to Oliver Cromwell:

     Our former chiefs, like sticklers of the war, / First sought to inflame the parties, then to poise.

2. Someone who insistently advocates for something, especially for strict observance of a formal rule.

   Synonyms: dogmatist, formalist, pedant, traditionalist

   Lexicographers are sticklers for correct language.

   • 1713, Jonathan Swift, A Preface to Bishop Burnet's Introduction:

     The Tory or High-church were the greatest sticklers against the exorbitant proceedings of King James II.

   • 2019, Malcolm Gladwell, Talking to Strangers:

     "If you're accused of profiling or pretextual stops, you can bring your daily logbook to court and document that pulling over motorists for 'stickler' reasons is part of your customary pattern," Remsberg writes, "not a glaring exception conveniently dusted off in the defendant's case."

   • 2024, Jeremy B. Rudd, A Practical Guide to Macroeconomics, p. 12

     For the sticklers, here "final demand" is meant to include inventory investment.

• stickle

• strickle, ticklers, trickles