A term coined by Gilles Fauconnier.

Refers to the observation that much of what goes on in the construction of meaning occurs 'behind the scenes'.

Fauconnier argues that language does not encode thought in its complex entirety but encodes rudimentary instructions for the creation of rich and elaborate ideas. Fauconnier gives the label 'backstage cognition' to these 'behind-the-scenes' conceptualization processes that are involved in meaning construction.