security theater
n.— «The secrecy culture cultivated by TSA demands an extensive deference which (as Barlow’s attorney pointed out) is often supposedly justified by saying “September 11, September 11, September 11.” But in fact many aspects of aviation security practice are still stupid and pointless, or, to be more polite and precise, they are security theater.» —“In the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo” by Seth David Schoen Vitanuova Dec. 16, 2004. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
If you speak a second or third language, you may remember the first time you dreamed in that new tongue. But does this milestone mean you’re actually fluent? And a couple’s dispute over the word regret: Say you wish you’d been able...
Suzanne in Tucson, Arizona, says her mother used to say the following to her quickly: Will you? Won’t you? Can’t I coax you? Aw, c’mon! You said you would! You think you might? You promised me! Won’t your mama let ya, huh...