Amtsschimmel
German edit
Etymology edit
Perhaps from Amt + Simile (from Latin simile (“similar”, neuter singular), from similis), the name of a standardized form used by the bureaucracy of the Austrian Empire. Alternatively, perhaps a reference to the service horses (Amt (“official”) + -s- + Schimmel (“white horse”)) which were provided in Switzerland and elsewhere to government officials.
Pronunciation edit
Audio (file)
Noun edit
Amtsschimmel m (strong, genitive Amtsschimmels, no plural)
- excessive amount of bureaucracy; red tape
Declension edit
Declension of Amtsschimmel [sg-only, masculine, strong]
Derived terms edit
- der Amtsschimmel wiehert (“there is an excessive amount of bureaucracy”)
- den Amtsschimmel reiten
Further reading edit
- “Amtsschimmel” in Duden online