Question of the Day #8: Dog and pony show

"I am not going to meet with that sales rep. I've already seen his dog and pony show."

上記の文のdog and pony showの意味は？

In the dialogue above, what does "dog and pony show" mean?

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will write the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

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解答

意味：（何かを売り込むための）手の込んだ宣伝・プレゼンテーション等

Answer:

an often elaborate public relations or sales presentation; also :  an elaborate or overblown affair or event

語源：

Dog and pony showは、１９世紀から２０世紀初頭にかけてアメリカで小さい町や地方をまわった小規模の移動サーカスのことをいう。主な出し物が、芸をする犬やポニーを使ったことから、このように呼ばれるようになった。

Etymology:

Dog and pony show was a colloquial term used in the United States in the in the late-19th and early-20th centuries to refer to small traveling circuses that toured through small towns and rural areas. The name derives from the typical use of performing dogs and ponies as the main attractions of the events.

Examples

• Gary went into his standard dog and pony show, trying to sell us onan upgrade to our software.
• Don't you get tired of running through the same old dog and pony show at every trade　show?
• Powerpoint was originally used by businesses to create a dog and pony show.
• Our average customer is a businessperson who doesn't need the dog and pony show.