stickler

Meaning

1. (Cornwall) A referee or adjudicator at a fight, wrestling match, duel, etc. who ensures fair play.
2. Someone who insistently advocates for something, especially for strict observance of a formal rule.

Synonyms

partisan

moderator

nut

scraper

umpire

drumbeater

hard-and-fast rule

stick fast to rules

inflexible

hidebound system

Translations

Verfechter

Pedant

ψείρας

problema peliagudo

rigoriste

Paragraphenreiterei

σχολαστικός

απαιτητικός

μονομανής

φιλόνικος

partisan zélé

pignolo

voorstander

detallista

المتمسك

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈstɪk.lə/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: stighteler

In summary

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.