The Origin of "Red Tape" (or, Mr. Sheen, please show some consistency)

Factual Questions
1

OK, so I’m watching the end of West Wing tonight, and President Bartlett, portrayed by Martin Sheen, tells this nifty anecdote about how Civil War veterans were required to come to Washington, D.C. and visit the VA office personally to collect their pensions. They had to wait for clerks to sift through all the records while waiting, records that were bound by red tape. Hence the term. Nifty story.

However, last night I was watching PBS, and they were showing “Inside the Vatican.” As part of that program, they showed red wax seals from various bigwigs in the church pleading against the excommunication of Henry the VIII. The seals were suspended on red ribbon, and the program indicated that was the source of the term “red tape.”

Guess who narrated the PBS special? That’s right, Martin Sheen.

So, Dopers, is PBS-Sheen or Bartlett-Sheen right? Or are they both wrong?

2

They’re both right, I suppose–historically speaking, important records were frequently bound in red tape, in both the 16th century Vatican and 19th century Washington, D.C. I don’t see any contradiction.
And–you are aware that in both cases, Martin Sheen was just reading from the script he was given? :smiley:

3

Yeah, but it was a little weird hearing somewhat-different stories on the exact same topic in Mr. Sheen’s voice two days in a row. :smiley:

By the way – four minutes from post to first response. I am impressed.

4

We did this before here

My Chambers cites the term in its modern meaning from 1736, from England. This is probably the OED first cite, as Chambers usually relies upon the OED. So the Civil War period/American usage is certainly not the origin.

The Vatican story could be the origin, but it’s not likely to ever be proven.