XKCD calls it "citogenesis": https://xkcd.com/978/ https://xkcd.com/978/ The slight difference between what you describe and the comic is that "idea laundering

XKCD calls it "citogenesis": https://xkcd.com/978/ https://xkcd.com/978/ The slight difference between what you describe and the comic is that "idea laundering" is a deliberate and coordinated effort, while "citogenesis" is driven by carelessness.