Here's the breakdown:
* Wicket: In cricket, the wicket is the set of three stumps with two bails on top, which the batsman aims to defend.
* Sticky: This refers to the condition of the pitch (the playing surface). A "sticky wicket" is one that is damp and offers extra grip to the ball, making it harder for the batsman to hit.
The phrase came into use during the 19th century and was initially used to describe a tricky situation in the game, where the batsman faced a challenging pitch and bowling.
Over time, the phrase evolved beyond cricket and became a general idiom used to describe any difficult or unpleasant situation.
So, next time you find yourself in a tough spot, you can jokingly say, "This is a real sticky wicket!"