The Collaborative International Dictionary
Circumlocution office
Circumlocution \Cir`cum*lo*cu"tion\, n. [L. circumlocutio, fr. circumloqui, -locutus, to make use of circumlocution; circum + loqui to speak. See Loquacious.] The use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few; indirect or roundabout language; a periphrase.
the plain Billingsgate way of calling names . . . would
save abundance of time lost by circumlocution.
--Swift.
Circumlocution office, a term of ridicule for a governmental office where business is delayed by passing through the hands of different officials.