stickler

A stickler is a person who insists on strict adherence to rules, standards, or details. In everyday language, the term is often applied to someone who is particularly concerned with punctuality, accuracy, or quality, and may be used neutrally or pejoratively depending on context. The phrase “stickler for” is commonly used to describe such insistence.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from stick, in the sense of “to adhere” or “to cling to,” with the agent noun suffix -er. It entered English in the 19th century and is used in both American and British English.

Stickler syndrome: A hereditary connective tissue disorder named after Gunnar Stickler, who first described it in the 1960s. It is characterized by high myopia, retinal detachment risk, sensorineural hearing loss, joint laxity or early osteoarthritis, and distinctive facial features such as midface hypoplasia and a flat nasal bridge. The condition is caused by mutations in collagen genes, most commonly COL2A1, COL11A1, and COL11A2, and is usually inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, with variable expressivity. Diagnosis combines clinical assessment with genetic testing. Management focuses on surveillance and treatment for eye problems, hearing loss, and joint issues, and there is no cure.

Other uses: Stickler can be a surname. The term is also used in various product or brand names unrelated to the original meaning.