The modern use of the term dates from the 17th Century
French ruban rond (
round ribbon)
[1][2]. This described the practice of signatories to petitions against authority (usually Government officials petitioning the
Crown) appending their names on a document in a non-hierarchical circle or ribbon pattern (and so disguising the order in which they have signed) in order that none may be identified as a
ringleader.
This practice was adopted by sailors petitioning officers in the
British Royal Navy (first recorded 1731)
[2] .
The term round-robin is recorded in English much earlier, although not with the above meaning. It first appears in 1546 (with meaning unknown) and appears later applied to a category of person (precise meaning unknown):
"These Wat Tylers and Round-Robins being driven or persuaded out of Whitehall" (1671)
[2].
giusto per curiosita' ho controllato che le mie conoscenze da settimana enigmistica fossero corrette
