eyewash

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable, usually) 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.
2. (countable, uncountable, usually) A soothing medicated lotion for the eyes.
3. (figuratively, slang, uncountable, usually) Camouflage; disguise; false front; pretense; nonsense.

Verb

1. To fool with nonsense or flattery.
2. To keep information secret by sending false information to many people in one's own organization, and correct information to a select few.

Synonyms

collyrium

wind

jive

idle talk

idle chit-chat

mindless ranting

balderdash

eye-lotion

idle gossip

humbug

blarney

deception

evasion

nonsense

eye-salve

a lotion for the eye

sweet-talk

gloze

flattery

eye drops

cajolery

blandishment

adulation

hoodwinking

ass kissing

Translations

sornettes

délayage

phraséologie

parlotte

geraaskal

bavardage

collyre

papotage

parlote

verbalisme

verbiage

collirio

chiacchiere

conversa fiada

Etymology

From eye + wash.
Compare typologically Russian глаз замы́лился (glaz zamýlilsja) (akin to мы́ло (mýlo), мыть (mytʹ)).