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Red tape is an idiom referring to regulations or conformity to formal rules or standards which are claimed to be excessive, rigid or redundant, or to bureaucracy claimed to hinder or prevent action or decision-making. It is usually applied to governments, corporations, and other large organizations.
Rigid or mechanical adherence to bureaucratic rules and regulations especially those involving unnecessary paperwork. What's the origin of the phrase 'Red tape'? Legal and official documents have been bound with red tape since the 17th century and continue to be so. The first reference I can find to this practice is the 1696-1715 Maryland Laws:
May 26, 2021 · It’s possible that red tape as a euphemism for complicated bureaucratic processes did become more common in the U.S. after the Civil War, when so many citizens experienced said processes...
Red tape. The term red tape has been around for centuries, and it did not always refer to excessively complex official procedures that cause delay or inaction. In fact, red tape originally referred to the red, ribbon-like strips of material formerly used to bind legal documents.
Jul 7, 2016 · That got us wondering: Where does the phrase "red tape" come from? Andrew Rabin, a professor of English at the University of Louisville, says the term "red tape" comes from the filing practices of the 16th century. Picture this: an archive with miles and miles of documents from all of Europe.
May 3, 2016 · Simon K. asks: Why do we call it “red tape” when there are a lot of needless obstacles and paperwork in getting something done in business and government? The practice of referring to “ excessive bureaucratic rigmarole ” as red tape dates back more than 400 years to the court of the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, Charles V (1500-1558).
Jan 11, 2018 · The noun red tape, meaning excessive bureaucracy or adherence to official rules and formalities, refers to the use of woven red tape to tie up bundles of legal documents and official papers; the literal meaning is first recorded in 1658, the figurative meaning in 1736.
Apr 16, 2012 · The concept of “red tape” is used today as a noun to describe excess bureaucracy and regulation that serves as cost on business. The recent Council of Australian Government...
The meaning of RED TAPE is official routine or procedure marked by excessive complexity which results in delay or inaction. How to use red tape in a sentence.
/ˌred ˈteɪp/ [uncountable] (disapproving) official rules that seem more complicated than necessary and prevent things from being done quickly. All ministers are agreed on the need to cut bureaucratic red tape. You have to go through endless red tape to get a residence permit. Extra Examples. Topics Politics c2. Oxford Collocations Dictionary.
