E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Knights of the Stick.
Compositors. The stick is the printer’s “composing stick,” which he holds in his left hand while with his right hand he fills it with letters from his “case.” It holds just enough type not to fatigue the hand of the compositor, and when full, the type is transferred to the “galley.”
