Definition of stick to

The origin of the phrase "stick to" dates back to the mid-1400s in Middle English. At that time, the expression was "sticketh to," which meant " sticks" or "adheres to." This phrase came from the Old English word "sticcan," which meant "to stick" or "to adhere." The Middle English phrase "sticketh to" was commonly used in the context of objects or materials that stuck to one another. For example, "mud sticketh to boots" or "loose threads sticketh to fabric." This usage persisted into the Early Modern English period in the late 1500s and early 1600s. Over time, "sticketh to" began to be used more metaphorically to describe actions or behaviors. In the mid-1600s, the phrase "sticketh to" was commonly used in the sense of "persists" or "repeats" as in "he sticks to his principles" or "she sticks to her story." In modern English, "stick to" is still in use in both literal and figurative senses. Its literal usage, such as "the paint sticks to the surface," remains as its root meaning. In its figurative usage, which is more common, it implies a continuation or persistence of an action or behavior, such as "stick to your workout routine" or "he sticks to his plan no matter what." In summary, "stick to" evolved from its original literal usage, "sticketh to," in the Middle English period, and broadened to become a figurative phrase meaning "persists" or "adheres" in metaphorical contexts during the Early Modern English era.