red tapeworm
/rɛd ˈteɪpwəːm/humorous and depreciative
noun
A person who adheres excessively to official rules and formalities; a red-tapist. Also (chiefly with the): red tape, excessive bureaucracy.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Charles Dickens (1812–1870), novelist. From red tape + worm, punningly after tapeworm.
- indigestible
- indigestibly
- indigestion
- indigestive
- Indigirka
- indignant
- indignantly
- indignation
- indignity
- indigo
- indigobird
- indigo finch
- indigoid
- indigo snake
- indigotin
- Indio
- Indira Gandhi Canal
- indirect
- indirect advertising
- indirect costs
- indirection
- indirect lighting
- indirectly
- indirectness
- indirect object