Tracy Whipple, age 15, of Duluth, Minn., for her question:

WHERE DID THE TERM 'RED TAPE' ORIGINATE?

Red tape is an extremely derogatory term used to describe the inefficiency of business or government. More often, it is used to describe the operation of a governmental office or agency.

The term red tape originated in England during the 1700s when people used red string to tie legal and official documents together. Later, the term came to mean official routine in general.

Quite often red tape may describe the extremely rigid observance of rules and regulations displayed by a government official. And sometimes it may refer to the routing of requests and orders through various channels which result in many delays. It may also include the many technicalities found in large businesses.