Bean Counters

In Ancient Greece, before elections were decided by tiny bits of paper called “chads” (hanging, dangling, pregnant, or otherwise), public office was decided by the random pulling of a dark or light bean. The people who loaded the bean machines were “bean counters” and they were known less for their creativity than for their diligence and honesty. The term “bean counter” is now used for accountants, who in recent times have earned a reputation less for diligence and honesty than for creativity.

Should have stuck to counting beans.

Scale of 1 to 10—4. Decent pay, though the work is dull.

(See Scrutineer.)