subs. (old).—1.  Spirits: hence RED-TAPE = brandy; WHITE (or BLUE) TAPE = gin: cf. RIBBON (GROSE).

1

  1755.  The Connoisseur, 30 Jan. [Notes and Queries, 7 S. x. 78]. Every night-cellar furnish you with HOLLAND TAPE [gin], three yards a penny.

2

  1823.  P. EGAN, Randall’s Scrap Book. With TAPE in the morning, and punch in the night. Ibid. The TAPE I pour into the glass.

3

  1830.  BULWER-LYTTON, Paul Clifford, x. Oh! those jovial days are ne’er forgot! But the TAPE lags. Ibid. RED TAPE those as likes it may drain.

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