お役所仕事 ― red tape

日本語で“お役所仕事”、“お役所流”というのは、時間がかかり過ぎたり、やたら書類への記入が必要だったりする低品質なサービスを皮肉った表現ですが、英語では、"red tape"という表現があります。


Obama wants to cut red tape for exporters

While en route to Mexico on Wednesday, President Obama signed an executive order that the White House says will significantly reduce the wait time for businesses exporting goods and services outside the USA.

Obama signed what the administration is calling an executive order on “streamlining the export/import process” while he was aboard Air Force One as he made his way to the North America Leaders Summit.

Currently, U.S. business have to submit information to dozens of government agencies to move goods across the border. The process can sometimes take days.
(Aamer Madhani. Obama wants to cut red tape for exporters. USA Today. February 19, 2014.)


Merriam Webster Dictionaryの定義によると、


official routine or procedure marked by excessive complexity which results in delay or inaction


とあります。なぜ“赤いテープ”なのでしょうか？

語源欄によると、イギリスのお役所で公文書を束ねるバインダーが赤かったことに由来するそうです。