subs. (common).—A centre of redtape; a roundabout way. [A term invented by Charles Dickens (see quot., 1857), and applied at first in ridicule to public offices, where everybody tries to shuffle off his responsibilities upon some one else.
1857. DICKENS, Little Dorrit, I., x. The CIRCUMLOCUTION OFFICE was the most important Department under Government. Ibid. Whatever was required to be done, the CIRCUMLOCUTION OFFICE was beforehand with all the public departments in the art of perceiving—How not to do it.
1870. Graphic, Feb. 19, in ‘By the Bye.’ To complete the contretemps a portion of the telegraphs struck work on the very first day of the Government taking them in hand. Of course the great tribe of evil-wishers ran about chuckling, and rubbing their hands gleefully. ‘I told you so,’ cried Rubasore. CIRCUMLOCUTION OFFICE again, sneered Crossgrain.
