Buggins' turn

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Buggins' turn

(ˈbʌɡɪnz) or

Buggins's turn

slang Brit the principle of awarding an appointment to members of a group in turn, rather than according to merit

[C20: origin unknown]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

References in periodicals archive ?

No more is it Buggins' turn with power oscillating between the two big party beasts, sometimes saddened by defeat but always sustained by retaining a large core vote.

Kenny MacAskill: Brexit-induced contempt for politicians is risk to democracy

"It's not a question of discriminating against older people - it's about getting new blood and moving away from the 'Buggins' turn' mentality that sees people elected to the board simply because they've been around for a long time.

FAW probed over 'old age inequality'

Being the king or queen is a case of Buggins' turn.

Diamond day of dipsos, 'drunk tanks' and buckets of barbecue chicken

And a new approach to personnel will aim to ensure promotions go to the right person, rather than operating on the principle of "Buggins' turn", said Dr Fox.

Fox's shake-up for 'top heavy' forces; Top chiefs are stripped of key powers

At present it is simply Buggins' Turn that applies and we end up with the councillor next in line due to his length of service.

Letter: Your Say - Elected mayors are a good idea

The Royal Bank kept it hostile, so at the end of it there were no joint chairmen or cosy succession deals about Buggins' turn to be next chief executive - no argument about who was in charge.