eyewash

What it means

1. countableuncountableusuallyThe 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.

   a bottle of eyewash

   1 more example

   an eyewash station on every floor of the building

2. countableuncountableusuallyA soothing medicated lotion for the eyes.
3. figurativelyslanguncountableusuallySomething deceptive and superficially pleasing but without accurate or genuine substance: camouflage; disguise; false front; pretense; nonsense.

   Near-synonyms: hogwash, whitewash, window dressing

   3 more examples

   They argued over the menu. The fish was described as being 'Made From Flaky Tender Boneless Filets and the chicken as 'Delicious French Fried to a Golden Brown, Served Disjointed'. 'Eyewash,' said Bond, and they finally ordered scrambled eggs and bacon and sausages, a salad, and some of the domestic Camembert that is one of the most welcome surprises on American menus.

   1954, Ian Fleming, “Allumeuse”, in Live and Let Die, London: Pan Books, published 1957, page 107

   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.

   1960, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter XI, in Jeeves in the Offing

   It is a reassuring patriotic myth; in short, for the historian, eyewash.

   1989, Richard Fletcher, The Quest for El Cid, Hutchinson, page 13

   Synonyms: hogwash, whitewash, window dressing

In a sentence

an eyewash station on every floor of the building

Where it comes from

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