The U.S. At War: Red-Tape Language

Latest organization in Washington is The Wafflebottom Club, so named because its businessmen members wait long hours on cane-seated chairs in Government anterooms. (World War I also saw waffle-bottoms.)

Other recent additions to the language, from the Washington scene: The "Milk Route" is the daily round of visits a businessman makes trying to get a defense order, to 0PM, SPAB, OPA, ODT, War, Navy, Treasury and Agriculture Departments. A "Torch Bearer" is a sympathetic Government subordinate who actually takes up a case and follows it through.

The Air Forces News Letter compiled a glossary of red-tape officialese in wartime Washington:

> Under consideration means: never heard of it.

> Under active consideration means: will have a shot at finding the file.

>Has received careful consideration: A period of inactivity covering time lag.

> Have you any remarks?: Give me some idea of what it's all about.

> That project is in the air: Am completely ignorant of the subject.

> You will remember: You have forgotten, or never knew, because I don't.

> Transmitted to you: You hold the bag a while—I'm tired of it.

> Concur generally: Haven't read the document and don't want to be bound by anything I say.

> In conference: Gone out—don't know where he is.

> Kindly expedite reply: For God's sake try and find the papers.

> Passed to higher authority: Pigeonholed in more sumptuous office.

> In abeyance: A state of grace for a disgraceful state.

> Appropriate action: Do you know what to do with it? We don't.

> Giving him the picture: Long, confusing and inaccurate statement to a newcomer.