jeu d'esprit

 
Pronunciation: /ʒəː dɛˈspriː, ʒø dɛspʀi/

noun (plural jeux d'esprit pronunc. )

  • a light-hearted display of wit and cleverness, especially in a work of literature: there is a misconception that the works of Agatha Christie are simply popular jeux d’esprit

Origin:

French, literally 'game of the mind'