plausible deniability

Etymology
Originally CIA jargon from the 1950s, and popularized during the Watergate scandal (1970s).

Noun

 * 1)  The organization of clandestine activity in such a way that knowledge of its existence may be denied by those in authority.

Translations

 * Finnish: uskottava kiistettävyys
 * French: déni plausible
 * German: glaubhafte Abstreitbarkeit, glaubhafte Bestreitbarkeit
 * Polish: wiarygodne zaprzeczenie
 * Russian: правдоподо́бное отрица́ние