diplomatic flu

Noun

 * 1)  An illness feigned by one or more government officials or other public figures as an excuse for an absence really based on political factors.
 * 2) * 1988, George Will, "Democratic Double Standard," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 11 Apr. (retrieved 31 Nay 2009):
 * That is a carom-shot criticism of the administration, which has come down with a case of the diplomatic flu known as international conference-itis.
 * That is a carom-shot criticism of the administration, which has come down with a case of the diplomatic flu known as international conference-itis.