eyewash
noun
- fluid used to rinse eyes
Wiktionary
noun
Etymology: From eye + wash. Compare typologically Russian глаз замы́лился (glaz zamýlilsja) (akin to мы́ло (mýlo), мыть (mytʹ)).
- The washing out of the eyes with copious solution (usually water alone) to quickly remove an irritant, as for example in laboratories and industrial plants; the washing solution itself.
“an eyewash station on every floor of the building”
“a bottle of eyewash”
- A soothing medicated lotion for the eyes.
- Camouflage; disguise; false front; pretense; nonsense.
“Near-synonyms: whitewash, window dressing”
“Talking of being eaten by dogs, there's a dachshund at Brinkley who when you first meet him will give you the impression that he plans to convert you into a light snack between his regular meals. Pay no attention. It's all eyewash. […] He wouldn't hurt a fly, but he has to put up a front because his name's Poppet. One can readily appreciate that when a dog hears himself addressed day in and day out as Poppet, he feels he must throw his weight about. His self-respect demands it.”
verb
Etymology: From eye + wash. Compare typologically Russian глаз замы́лился (glaz zamýlilsja) (akin to мы́ло (mýlo), мыть (mytʹ)).
- To fool with nonsense or flattery.
- To keep information secret by sending false information to many people in one's own organization, and correct information to a select few.
“But others said that eyewashing was a standard security practice that had been in existence for decades.”