stickler
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stickler¹
- /ˈstɪk.lə/ UK
Where it comes from
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.
noun sticklers
- A referee or adjudicator at a fight, wrestling match, duel, etc. who ensures fair play. 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.
-
Someone who insistently advocates for something, especially for strict observance of a formal rule.
Lexicographers are sticklers for correct language.
Similar: dogmatist, formalist, pedant, traditionalist
Stickler²
proper noun Sticklers
- A surname.
Translations
Every language
noun someone who insistently advocates for something
| Español | rigorista, tiquismiquis, pejiguero |
|---|---|
| Français | tatillon, pointilleux |
| Deutsch | Pedant, Verfechter |
| Italiano | pignolo |
| Ελληνικά | ψείρας pseíras |
| Русский | приве́рженец privérženec, я́рый сторо́нник járyj storónnik |
Talk about this word "stickler." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/stickler. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. stickler. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/stickler "stickler." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/stickler.Cite this
@misc{stickler_2026,
title = {stickler},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/stickler},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
