Diaponiaise

Feminine noun · Crestignacian.

Pronunciation (French IPA): /dja.pɔ.njɛz/
Approximate English pronunciation: dya-po-NYEZ

Definition

A presentation slide whose apparent self-evidence lends it sufficient depth that no one dares ask what it actually contributes. It may consist of a single statement, with no chart, no source and no action plan; the silence following its projection forms part of its validation.

Canonical example

“A tree cannot prune itself.”
— Fundamental principle of botanorganisation.

Usage

Original French:

« Ne vous déplaise, en présentant la Diaponiaise, nous nous aimions le temps d’une présentation. »

English rendering:

“If you please, while presenting the Diaponiaise, we fell in love with ourselves for the duration of a presentation.”

Translator's note: The original plays on the sounds of déplaise, Diaponiaise and aimions. The French sentence is retained to preserve its musical wordplay. The term itself evokes diapo (slide) and javanaise.