stickler
UK: ˈstɪklə | US: ˈstɪklər
n. a person who insists on a certain quality or standard, often to an excessive degree
n. (archaic) a referee or umpire in a contest
stickler = stick<to adhere rigidly> + ler<agent suffix>
- stick (from Old English stician, meaning "to pierce or adhere rigidly") evolved to imply persistence or inflexibility.
- ler (agentive suffix, as in "babbler" or "gambler") denotes someone who habitually performs the action.
Etymology Origin:
Originally (16th c.), a stickler was a referee in duels, tasked with enforcing rules—hence the connotation of rigidity. By the 1800s, it generalized to anyone dogmatically insisting on standards. The root stick reflects stubborn adherence, like an object "stuck" in place.
He’s a stickler for punctuality and gets upset if meetings start late.
The professor was a stickler for proper citations in research papers.
As a grammar stickler, she corrected every misplaced comma.
The coach, a stickler for discipline, made the team practice drills for hours.
In medieval tournaments, the stickler ensured fair play between knights.