red herring

[ red her-ing ]

noun

1. a smoked herring.
2. something intended to divert attention from the real problem or matter at hand; a misleading clue.
3. Also called red-her·ring pro·spec·tus [red, -, her, -ing pr, uh, -spek-t, uh, s]. Finance. a tentative prospectus circulated by the underwriters of a new issue of stocks or bonds that is pending approval by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: so called because the front cover of such a prospectus must carry a special notice printed in red.
4. any similar tentative financial prospectus, as one concerning a pending or proposed sale of cooperative or condominium apartments.

red herring

noun

1. anything that diverts attention from a topic or line of inquiry
2. a herring cured by salting and smoking

red herring

1. In argument, something designed to divert an opponent's attention from the central issue. If a herring is dragged across a trail that hounds are following, it throws them off the scent.

Word History and Origins

Origin of red herring¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English

Idioms and Phrases

Something that draws attention away from the central issue, as in Talking about the new plant is a red herring to keep us from learning about downsizing plans . The herring in this expression is red and strong-smelling from being preserved by smoking. The idiom alludes to dragging a smoked herring across a trail to cover up the scent and throw off tracking dogs. [Late 1800s]

Example Sentences

Koenig makes a big deal out of this call and frames it as a massive red herring.

From The Daily Beast

Nevertheless, Brian Rogers, a McCain aide pushed back against UANI, calling the Rio Tinto-Iran connection “a red herring.”

From The Daily Beast

The brutality of Dothraki culture is actually a red herring.

From The Daily Beast

The fact that some BDS activists are for one state solution is irrelevant here and no more than a red herring.

From The Daily Beast

He opposes settlements but calls them “a giant red herring.”

From The Daily Beast

But we have to discuss the red-herring, not of the artful politician, anxious to dodge his hearers, but of the breakfast-table.

From Project Gutenberg

The red herring of annexation was drawn across the trail, and many a farmer followed it to the polling booth.

From Project Gutenberg

I know not what object her pale blue orbs encountered; but mine fell on the half-picked head of a red herring!

From Project Gutenberg

If I can tell which is the way to my master's house, I am a red herring, and no honest gentleman.

From Project Gutenberg

As Grandfather Bryant used to say, they are neither fish nor flesh, nor good red herring.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ploy
• smokescreen