laughable affair; unreliable thing; sham
Refers to something that is not genuine, trustworthy, or praiseworthy; often used for a situation or matter that is ridiculous or unreliable. The word is rare and somewhat literary.
His excuse was a complete sham.
I don't have time to deal with such a laughable affair.
Compound of 似非 (ese, 'sham') and 事 (koto, 'thing, matter'), with rendaku voicing of koto to goto. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word is formed from elements meaning 'false matter'.