Английский Этимологический словарь - stick (n.)

- O.E. sticca "rod, twig, spoon," from a P.Gmc. derivative of the root *stik- "pierce, prick," from PIE *st(e)ig-. Meaning "manual gearshift lever" first recorded 1971. Phrase stick in the mud is first recorded 1733. Sticks "rural place" is 1905, from sticks in slang sense of "trees" (cf. backwoods).