Eyewash, window dressing, lip service, BS, smoke and mirrors, pulling the wool over someone’s eyes. It is literally translated as “rubbing [ointment/dust] into the spectacles”. It historically originated in the 19th century from card-cheating slang (where cheaters subtly altered face cards during play) but quickly evolved into a political and bureaucratic metaphor for systemic deception.
Президент Узбекистана продолжил очковтирательство.
The President of Uzbekistan continued with the deception.
(tayanch @ tayanch.com, 01/2012)
