Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A British historian: Cyril Northcote Parkinson was a British historian and author, best known for his satirical observations on bureaucracy and administrative inefficiency.
   • The originator of Parkinson's Law: He is famous for formulating "Parkinson's Law," the adage that "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion."

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The economist cited C. Northcote Parkinson's principles when analyzing the growth of administrative staff.
  • C. Northcote Parkinson's witty essays critique bureaucratic expansion.

Advanced Usage

• "Parkinsonian" (adj): Relating to or characteristic of the theories of C. Northcote Parkinson, especially describing bureaucratic inefficiency or self-perpetuating growth.
  • The committee's delays were a perfect example of Parkinsonian inefficiency.

Variants and Related Words

• Parkinson's Law (n): The famous principle formulated by C. Northcote Parkinson stating that work expands to fill the time allotted for its completion. Often extended to describe how bureaucracies tend to grow regardless of their workload.
  • We need to set strict deadlines to avoid the effects of Parkinson's Law.

Synonyms

• Satirical historian
• Bureaucracy critic

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "A Parkinsonian bureaucracy": A phrase used to describe an organization that exhibits the inefficient, self-expanding characteristics outlined by C. Northcote Parkinson.
  • The new department quickly became a Parkinsonian bureaucracy, with more managers than actual workers.

Noun

1. British historian noted for ridicule of bureaucracies (1909-1993)