Wainscot

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See Wainscoting for panelling applied to the lower part of an interior wall.

Wainscots is an academic term used in English literature studies, first coined by The Encyclopedia of Fantasy in 1997.

The term is applied loosely to fantasy which involve hidden societies concealed and secretly working in the real world, who typically have an insight into the "real" mechanics of the world un-noticed by consensus reality. Rather than taking place in another world accessible via our by some kind of magic or portal (such as Narnia) these worlds take place in worlds concealed within or invisibly all about our own mundane surroundings, accessible perhaps to yourself or your neighbor but definitely not to most. The themes of such fantasy may range to individual personal drama to struggles between good and evil.

Generally, the invisible or wainscot society is portrayed positively, while in more horror-tinged works of fantasy, such as H. P. Lovecraft's universe or the Buffyverse where majority 's ignorance seems more of a blessing than a curse.

Some have suggested the term can be applied to such not strictly fantasy works such as Men in Black, Spy Kids, Transformers, or The Matrix series.