red tapeworm
/rɛd ˈteɪpwəːm/humorous and depreciative
noun
A person who adheres excessively to official rules and formalities; a red-tapist. Also (chiefly with the): red tape, excessive bureaucracy.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Charles Dickens (1812–1870), novelist. From red tape + worm, punningly after tapeworm.
- Worthing
- worthless
- worthlessly
- worthlessness
- worth one's salt
- worth one's while (or worth while)
- worthwhile
- worthwhileness
- worth while (or worth one's while)
- worthy
- -worthy
- wot
- Wotan
- wotcha
- wotcher
- Wouk, Herman
- would
- would-be
- would not touch someone/thing with a bargepole
- wouldn't
- wouldn't be seen (or caught) dead
- wouldn't hurt (or harm) a fly
- wouldn't say boo to a goose
- wouldn't you like to know?
- wouldst