This name (kuan meaning "imperial official") derives from the perceived draw-backs of high office; if you entered court as a high official you would be condemned to a lifetime of bowing and scraping.
原來古人也認為一旦入朝為官，就要「鞠躬盡瘁，死而後已」，又有「夢棺得官」（夢見棺材就會升官）的說法。