« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Red Tape  (Read 3497 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Snoopy

  • Administrator
  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 54191
  • Reputation: 0
  • In the Prime of Senility
Red Tape
« on: May 30, 2007, 03:16:25 PM »
So why Red Tape?
I have a roll of it on my desk. It is a cleverly woven cotton ribbon that does not fray when cut and ties nicely round a file full of papers. It does not slip when tied as many ribbons do, is the ideal product for the purpose and is very re-usable because of its construction. Indeed it is the very stuff that the expression Red Tape refers to as it is used to bind legal documents. Lawyers, archivists, librarians and I all use it for that purpose. BUT it is definitely not red ~ it is  PINK!
Huntsmen, on the other hand, wear Pink Coats which are actually RED!

Is it me?  cussing: cussing: cussing:
Logged
I used to have a handle on life but it broke.

Online Barman

  • Administrator
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 154940
  • Reputation: -50
  • Since 1960...
    • Virtual Pub!
Re: Red Tape
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2007, 07:32:55 AM »
Quote from: Snoopy on May 30, 2007, 03:16:25 PM
So why Red Tape?
I have a roll of it on my desk. It is a cleverly woven cotton ribbon that does not fray when cut and ties nicely round a file full of papers. It does not slip when tied as many ribbons do, is the ideal product for the purpose and is very re-usable because of its construction. Indeed it is the very stuff that the expression Red Tape refers to as it is used to bind legal documents. Lawyers, archivists, librarians and I all use it for that purpose. BUT it is definitely not red ~ it is  PINK!
Huntsmen, on the other hand, wear Pink Coats which are actually RED!

Is it me?  cussing: cussing: cussing:
Don?t you have to use a special knot to tie documents together?

No idea about the colour tho ? some bizarre historical thing perhaps?. not that I care really?  sleep021
Logged
Pro Skub  Thumbs:

Offline Darwins Selection

  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 39138
  • Reputation: 6
  • I mostly despair
Re: Red Tape
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2007, 08:04:50 AM »
Quote from: Barman on May 31, 2007, 07:32:55 AM
Don?t you have to use a special knot?

I think that is Civil War re-enactment clubs.
Logged
I mostly despair

Offline Nick

  • Needs to get out more...
  • ******
  • Posts: 109649
  • Reputation: -115
Re: Red Tape
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2007, 11:20:47 AM »
What is he on about?

Nurse!!
Logged
Warning: May contain Skub
Cat sitter extraordinaire
Semi-professional crocodile

Offline Bar Wench

  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 13786
  • Reputation: 0
Re: Red Tape
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2007, 11:33:26 AM »
I became interested when he mentioned ribbon and then dozed off again shortly afterwards.  sleep017
Logged

Offline Snoopy

  • Administrator
  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 54191
  • Reputation: 0
  • In the Prime of Senility
Re: Red Tape
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2007, 11:37:51 AM »
Quote from: Nick on May 31, 2007, 11:20:47 AM
What is he on about?

Nurse!!

I'm trying to find space for the next ten years worth of efforts ie I am archiving.  evil:
Logged
I used to have a handle on life but it broke.

Offline Snoopy

  • Administrator
  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 54191
  • Reputation: 0
  • In the Prime of Senility
Re: Red Tape
« Reply #6 on: May 31, 2007, 11:51:10 AM »
I am not alone in questioning this:
Quote
Red tape: A load of red tape is a way of describing something that is overfull of bureaucracy. Charles Dickens is believed to be the first person to have used this phrase. The red tape is the tape (in fact pink in colour) used to tie up bundles of official papers.

For some reason, pink tape is still in use today in legal circles. It is not 'tape' like sellotape(tm) or masking tape, but some strong cotton-like material which has been dyed - generally pink.
that pink tape is used to tie up bundles of legal papers, these days mainly for sending papers to Counsel (barristers). Green tape - same material dyed green is used to sew up documents and black is/was used for wills/probate papers.

Over time with photo-sensitve dyes, the red tape would lighten and become pink. I guess that it probably saved money to dye it dark pink - it is often re-used and so old tape would have been pink anyway.

When I first came to the law, sewing up documents was one of the first things I was taught by the elderly legal executive I worked alongside. I've got some pink tape in my briefcase even as I write - it is tough, far tougher than something garish pink should be and when my wing-mirror got damaged, tying it back in place with red-tape worked well for a week or two!

In legal circles, it is usually called 'pink string' rather than 'red tape'.

If you go into a clerks room at a barristers' chambers, you'll see how government and business can literally become caught/tied up in 'red tape'.

Source: http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/27/messages/612.html

I see it as my duty to inform and educate;

« Last Edit: May 31, 2007, 11:56:16 AM by Snoopy »
Logged
I used to have a handle on life but it broke.

Online Barman

  • Administrator
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 154940
  • Reputation: -50
  • Since 1960...
    • Virtual Pub!
Re: Red Tape
« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2007, 12:17:02 PM »
Logged
Pro Skub  Thumbs:

Misunderstood

  • Guest
Re: Red Tape
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2007, 12:21:36 PM »
Quote from: Snoopy on May 31, 2007, 11:37:51 AM
Quote from: Nick on May 31, 2007, 11:20:47 AM
What is he on about?

Nurse!!

I'm trying to find space for the next ten years worth of efforts ie I am archiving.  evil:

I have similar problems, I had mused about acquiring one of those machines that makes 'bricks' out of paper and building a new house in the garden.

When it's rendered who'd know?  And I could still tell everybody that the archives are safe and I know exactly where they are...
Logged

Offline Snoopy

  • Administrator
  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 54191
  • Reputation: 0
  • In the Prime of Senility
Re: Red Tape
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2007, 12:29:42 PM »
I've just found a bundle of school reports from when I was at Junior School.
"Must try harder" seems to be a recurring theme throughout my life! confused:













I know I said the last ten years but these are amongst a lot of stuff collected from my Late Mother's house when she died some 10 years ago and I have only just got up the courage to sort them out!  sad24:
« Last Edit: May 31, 2007, 12:32:22 PM by Snoopy »
Logged
I used to have a handle on life but it broke.

Online Barman

  • Administrator
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 154940
  • Reputation: -50
  • Since 1960...
    • Virtual Pub!
Re: Red Tape
« Reply #10 on: May 31, 2007, 12:33:16 PM »
Quote from: Snoopy on May 31, 2007, 12:29:42 PM
I've just found a bundle of school reports from when I was at Junior School.
"Must try harder" seems to be a recurring theme throughout my life! confused:
Did you go to my school?

I was convinced my teachers had a ?Must try harder? rubber stamp made up to make filling out my report quick and easy.  noooo:
Logged
Pro Skub  Thumbs:

Offline Nick

  • Needs to get out more...
  • ******
  • Posts: 109649
  • Reputation: -115
Re: Red Tape
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2007, 12:33:47 PM »
Quote
Must try harder

As Bar Wench advises BF whilst "pricking out"
Logged
Warning: May contain Skub
Cat sitter extraordinaire
Semi-professional crocodile

Online Barman

  • Administrator
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 154940
  • Reputation: -50
  • Since 1960...
    • Virtual Pub!
Re: Red Tape
« Reply #12 on: May 31, 2007, 12:34:43 PM »
Quote from: Nick on May 31, 2007, 12:33:47 PM
Quote
Must try harder

As Bar Wench advises BF whilst "pricking out"
Indeed... I can picture it now...  sex014
Logged
Pro Skub  Thumbs:
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »