[William Candlewood] used to write rejection letters to authors. He was also the whipping boy. If something fouled up at New Directions it was always blamed on Candlewood. The apology letters said he would be fired immediately.We suspect a lot of companies end up doing something similar, especially those in tight-knit industries where personal relationships count for a lot.
Following the example of Oscar Wilde’s to Bunbury, we suggest that whenever you punish a made-up person [that’s right! William Candlewood does NOT exist] to impress a client or give a false name over the phone to an irate customer you have Candlewooded, or pulled a Candlewood. (The Informed Reader – WSJ.com)