- stick (n.)
- O.E. sticca "rod, twig, spoon," from P.Gmc. *stikkon- "pierce, prick" (cf. O.N. stik, O.H.G. stehho, Ger. Stecken "stick, staff"), from PIE *st(e)ig- (see stick (v.)). Meaning "staff used in a game" is from 1674 (originally billiards); meaning "manual gearshift lever" first recorded 1914. Phrase Sticks "rural place" is 1905, from sticks in slang sense of "trees" (cf. backwoods). Stick-ball is attested from 1824. Alliterative connection of sticks and stones is recorded from c.1436.
- stick (v.)
- O.E. stician "to pierce, stab," also "to remain embedded, be fastened," from P.Gmc. *stik- "pierce, prick, be sharp" (cf. O.S. stekan, O.Fris. steka, Du. stecken, O.H.G. stehhan, Ger. stechen "to stab, prick"), from PIE *st(e)ig- (cf. L. in-stigare "to goad;" Gk. stizein "to prick, puncture," stigma "mark made by a pointed instrument;" O.Pers. tigra- "sharp, pointed;" Avestan tighri- "arrow;" Lith. stingu "to remain in place;" Rus. stegati "to quilt"). Figurative sense of "to remain permanently in mind" is attested from c.1300. Trans. sense of "to fasten (something) in place" is attested from late 13c. Stick out "project" is recorded from 1560s. Slang stick around "remain" is from 1912; stick it as a rude bit of advice is first recorded 1922.