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 946730821:

     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 801077108; 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 318419127, 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.

• stickle

• strickle, ticklers, trickles