buggins's turn
1Buggins's turn — /bugˈin ziz tûrn/ (informal) noun The assigning of promotion, etc in accordance with seniority, by rotation, etc, rather than on merit ORIGIN: Origin unknown …
2Buggins's turn — noun Brit. informal a system by which appointments or awards are made in rotation rather than by merit. Origin early 20th cent.: from Buggins, used to represent a typical surname …
3Buggins's turn — noun The appointment of a person by rotation or promotion, on the basis of length of service (it being that persons turn ) rather than merit or level of qualification. He will be appointed on the principle of Bugginss turn …
4Buggins' turn — Turn, chance, opportunity, of the next person in line irrespective of merit (e.g. as in old boy networks, election of mayors, etc.) …
5Buggins' turn — n British an automatic privilege that comes in turn to members of a group, regardless of merit, seniority, etc. A piece of bureau crats slang. Buggins is an imaginary name, perhaps inspired by muggins. The term probably dates from the 1940s and… …
6Buggins' turn — British promotion on the grounds of seniority rather than merit The mythical Buggins is an incompetent or unambitious employee who stays a long while in the same job: ... the attempt [in 1937] to break up the prevailing system of… …
7Buggins — I. /ˈbʌgənz/ (say buguhnz) phrase Buggins turn, British a system of assigning jobs, etc., by rotation, rather than according to merit. II. /ˈbʌgənz/ (say buguhnz) noun Dale, 1961–81, Australian professional stunt motorcyclist …
8Buggins' turn — …
9Buggin's turn — /bug inz/, Brit. promotion by seniority or rotation rather than merit. [1900 05; identity of the original Buggin or Buggins is obscure] * * * …
10Buggin's turn — /bug inz/, Brit. promotion by seniority or rotation rather than merit. [1900 05; identity of the original Buggin or Buggins is obscure] …
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