Clue Stick Meaning

(idiomatic) A metaphorical stick used to beat information or understanding into a slow learner.

Example: 2003, Declan McCullagh, "My letter from the FBI," ZDNet, 10 Oct. (retrieved 14 Apr. 2009):
  Leadbetter needs to be thwacked with a legal clue stick. The law he's talking about applies only to Internet service providers, not reporters.
2009, William Hurley, "Does the cloud really need a manifesto?," InfoWorld, 6 Apr. (retrieved 14 Apr. 2009):
  I think the author needs a good whack with the clue stick.