@paninid it's a perfect metaphor, and certainly characteristic of a certain Russian way doing things, but the coined usage is ahistorical - I believe it was was largely the invention of British propagandists, like Catherine's supposed habits. It doesn't mean it's not a good term to use, because it perfectly captures a certain kind of fakery done as a show for authority. It just didn't happen, I don't think. I should actually cover that era today in the book I'm reading on the Romanovs.