red-tapist
Definitions
from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- noun One who adheres strictly to forms and routine in official or other business.
Examples
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Spartacus caused ropes to be made of vine branches, with the aid of which he and his followers lowered themselves to the base of the mountain, at a point which had been left unguarded by the Romans because considered inaccessible by the red-tapist who commanded them, and consequently affording a capital outlet for bold men under a daring leader.
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But, a red-tapist by nature, and hating innovations, owing to weakness of mind, he trembled inwardly and cried in agony:
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I fear I clearly see that for years to come domestic reforms are shaken to the root; every miserable red-tapist flourishes war over the head of every protester against his humbug; and everything connected with it is pushed to such an unreasonable extent, that, however kind and necessary it may be in itself, it becomes ridiculous.
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Aristocracy, military, naval, or red-tapist; wherever there are born kings of men, you had better seek them out, and breed them to this work.
Note
The word 'red-tapist' comes from 'red tape', from its former use in tying British official documents.
