officialism

[ uh-fish-uh-liz-uhm ]

noun

1. excessive attention to official regulations and routines.
2. official methods or systems.
3. officials collectively.

Word History and Origins

Origin of officialism¹

First recorded in 1855–60; official + -ism

Example Sentences

It is the result in our days of stereotyped systems, of hard-and-fast rules, of centralization, of officialism, and of irresponsible authority.

From Slate

What is inhuman in modern life is officialism.

From Slate

The score was recorded by the London ensemble Orchestrate, and its pared-down ensemble included a small string section and woodwinds, as well as bagpipe and snare drum for the officialism of the proceedings.

From Los Angeles Times

“In the interests of imperishable bureaucracy my submitted complaint against this 'officer' will obviously be either unread or ignored because, as we all know, on matters of officialism it is not possible to be pleasantly surprised by anything at all,” Morrissey wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

But the movement as a whole31 was certainly an idealist one, not only in the eighteenth but even in the nineteenth century, and the necessary repressive tendency appeared in close alliance with officialism, with unthinking tradition, and with the egotism of classes and individuals.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• procedure
• red tape
• rite
• ritual