Amtsschimmel

German

Etymology

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

Audio: (file)

Noun

Amtsschimmel m (strong, genitive Amtsschimmels, no plural)

excessive amount of bureaucracy; red tape

Declension

Declension of Amtsschimmel [sg-only, masculine, strong]

	singular
	indef.	def.	noun
nominative	ein	der	Amtsschimmel
genitive	eines	des	Amtsschimmels
dative	einem	dem	Amtsschimmel
accusative	einen	den	Amtsschimmel

Derived terms

der Amtsschimmel wiehert (“there is an excessive amount of bureaucracy”)
den Amtsschimmel reiten