dog and pony show

Definition

An elaborate marketing presentation or product demo designed more to impress than inform, typically involving excessive showmanship. Substance optional, theatrics mandatory.

Example Usage

The client wants a full dog and pony show with live demos, customer testimonials, and probably a literal pony.

Origin

19th-century circus entertainment featuring trained dogs and ponies

Fun Fact

The phrase originally referred to small traveling circuses that could only afford dogs and ponies instead of exotic animals, making do with what they had.

Source: Sales and marketing presentation terminology

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