Amtsschimmel

Perhaps from Amt +‎ Simile (from Latin simile (“similar”, neuter singular), from similis), the name of a standardized form used by the bureaucracy of the Austrian Empire. Alternatively, perhaps a reference to the service horses (Amt (“official”) +‎ -s- +‎ Schimmel (“white horse”)) which were provided in Switzerland and elsewhere to government officials.

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Amtsschimmel m (strong, genitive Amtsschimmels, no plural)

1. excessive amount of bureaucracy; red tape

• der Amtsschimmel wiehert (“there is an excessive amount of bureaucracy”)
• den Amtsschimmel reiten

• “Amtsschimmel” in Duden online