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/

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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. [from 16th c.]
   • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 27, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] 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], “[The First Booke] Chapter 1”, in Fulke Greville, Matthew Gwinne, and John Florio, editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC; republished in Albert Feuillerat, editor, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (Cambridge English Classics: The Complete Works of Sir Philip Sidney; I), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: University Press, 1912, →OCLC, page 105:

     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. [from 17th c.]

   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."

• stickle

• strickle, ticklers, trickles