The term was coined in the summer of 2007, when then prime minister Jean-Luc Dehaene was photographed in his car at the gates of the Royal Palace. On his knees was a note outlining a way out of the political deadlock, which continues to this day. One short phrase stood out: Quid N-VA? What was to become of N-VA, which still formed a cartel with Dehaene’s CD&V at the time, should the Christian-democrats enter a government under the terms described in the note.

Dehaene, who calls himself “a politician of the previous century” was furious at the way the note was photographed and blown up so that it became legible to all. “Do politicians here need to put up curtains in their cars, like in Russia?” he snorted.

Well, maybe they better had because, shortly after, another lap note was photographed, at the exact same spot. This time it was Elio Di Rupo’s knees the note was on. It called for a government of national union, including all major parties, a scenario N-VA dreaded at the time. Therefore, there was a lot of speculation about how unintentional the shots were, especially since Di Rupo is known to be a control freak.

In the months after, lap notes became somewhat of a joke: N-VA’s Bart De Wever was spotted at the palace with a note that read curieuzeneusemosterdpot (which translates roughly as “curiosity killed the cat”), while minister of state Gérard Deprez mockingly advertised himself as “repair man” and Herman Van Rompuy put a book on his knees: Courage by the then British prime minister Gordon Brown.

Last week, another lap note made the news. This time, there is little question about how unintentional this was. “These discussions are pointless,” read the note held by Caroline Gennez (SP.A), on her way to another round of endless negotiations for the formation of a federal government. In the same note she worried about the rising popularity of N-VA.

In this respect, lap notes have become somewhat of a metaphor for the political crisis that has paralysed this country for years. You can try what you want, throw N-VA out of the talks if that seems right, but somehow the Flemish nationalists always remain firmly on everyone’s lap.