Listouflage

Listouflage is a term used to describe the deliberate inclusion of seemingly innocuous or irrelevant items on a list, often to obscure or distract from the true purpose or most important elements of that list. The word itself is a portmanteau of "list" and "camouflage." The intention behind listouflage is typically to make a particular item or proposal appear more palatable, less controversial, or more extensive than it actually is by embedding it within a larger, more diversified collection of less significant or more easily accepted items.

This technique can be employed in various contexts, from political proposals and legislative bills to corporate budgets and even informal decision-making processes. By adding numerous items that are either widely agreed upon, minor in their impact, or simply filler, proponents hope that the main objective will receive less scrutiny or be passed along with the less contentious elements. Critics argue that listouflage can be a deceptive practice, hindering transparency and making it difficult for stakeholders to identify and properly assess the implications of the core components of the list. It can also lead to situations where a reviewer must accept or reject the entire list, including the disguised elements, without the opportunity to isolate and debate individual points.