stickler

plural sticklers

1. CornwallA referee or adjudicator at a fight, wrestling match, duel, etc. who ensures fair play.First known use 16th c.

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

   The New Arcadia

   c. 1580 (date written), Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “[The Second Booke] 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

   2 more examples

   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.

   1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 27, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC

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

   1658, John Dryden, Stanza to Oliver Cromwell

2. Someone who insistently advocates for something, especially for strict observance of a formal rule.First known use 17th c.

   Lexicographers are sticklers for correct language.

   3 more examples

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

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

   "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."

   2019, Malcolm Gladwell, Talking to Strangers

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

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

   Synonyms: dogmatist, formalist, pedant, traditionalist

plural Sticklers

1. A surname.