Derogatory term for a completely-phony “song ‘n’ dance” routine that's merely intended to manipulate, distract, and/or gain undeserved sympathy/allowance/assistance from others. The ploy involves turning ghastly-pale (white grease-paint can be helpful here) and wildly thrashing your limbs and loudly gasping/grunting as if you’re having a seizure, so that observers will conclude that you have multiple serious illnesses and therefore need emergency assistance, are so totally “out of it” that you should not be held responsible for your actions, etc.
There are many types of situations where resorting to epileprosy may be called for, such as when you wish to change the subject, you're in imminent danger of "getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar" (and so you wish to appear to merely be aimlessly wandering about instead of intentionally occupying an "off-limits" location), you wish to avoid strenuous labor or a disagreeable health/medical procedure, etc.
by QuacksO November 23, 2018