Where Did the Word “Stickler” For a Perfectionist Come From and What Does the Term Mean?

The word stickler is from the Middle English word “stightlen” and means “to arrange.”

A stickler is a person who does everything by the book.

Historically, the stickler was the title of a judge at a duel.

Within life and death circumstances he was entrusted to see that the laws of gentlemanly combat were followed to the letter and that the outcome was fair.