stickler

Meaning

Noun

• A referee or adjudicator at a fight, wrestling match, duel, etc. who ensures fair play.
• Someone who insistently advocates for something.

Origin

• 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.