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)

1. 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

Further reading

• “Amtsschimmel” in Duden online