stickler

American  

[stik-ler] / ˈstɪk lər /

noun

1. a person who insists on something unyieldingly (usually followed byfor ).

   a stickler for ceremony.

   Synonyms:

   perfectionist, purist, fanatic

2. any puzzling or difficult problem.

   Synonyms:

   mystery, riddle, puzzle

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stickler British  

/ ˈstɪklə /

noun

1. (usually foll by for) a person who makes insistent demands

   a stickler for accuracy

2. a problem or puzzle

   the investigation proved to be a stickler

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Etymology

Origin of stickler

First recorded in 1530–40; stickle + -er ¹

Explanation

A stickler is someone who insists that things are done in a certain way. Say you’re getting married and want to write your own vows, but your partner’s mother demands that you have a traditional ceremony. The mother is a stickler for tradition. Stickler has its origins in a word meaning umpire, which may allude to a stickler’s bossy nature. Difficult problems or puzzles are called sticklers. It is helpful when remembering the definition of stickler that it has the word “stick” in it. So someone who “sticks” to the rules is a stickler.

Example Sentences

Ted, from Nottinghamshire, has Stickler syndrome - which caused his retinas to detach resulting in him becoming blind at the age of two.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2022

Carla Stickler, a former “Wicked” understudy who has since become a software engineer in Chicago, was flown to New York to play Elphaba for the first time in seven years.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2022

Stickler wasn’t the only former performer pressed into service.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 6, 2022

Stickler, who leads seniors in an oceanography research class at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, peered up in mock disbelief at a tall, gangly high school senior in a black mask.

From Washington Post • Aug. 23, 2021

Who cares if members of your family abhor your Inner Stickler and devoutly wish you had an Inner Scooby-Doo instead?

From "Eats, Shoots & Leaves" by Author