red herring
noun
a smoked herring.
something intended to divert attention from the real problem or matter at hand; a misleading clue.
Also called red-herring prospectus. 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.
any similar tentative financial prospectus, as one concerning a pending or proposed sale of cooperative or condominium apartments.
Origin of red herring
late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for red herring
ploy, bait, commotion, deviation, distraction, disturbance, diversion, gimmick, interruption, maneuver, distractorExamples from the Web for red herring
Historical Examples of red herring
The reason why Snarleyyow did not die was simply this, that he did not eat the red-herring.
Snarley-yowFrederick Marryat
The man asked for a red-herring, which was forthwith given to him.
Curiosities of Medical ExperienceJ. G. (John Gideon) Millingen
Ginger in turn unfolded from its manifold wrappings a red-herring.
Adventures of BindleHerbert George Jenkins
"It is what they call a herring, a red-herring, my lady," responded Wilton.
Adventures of BindleHerbert George Jenkins
After that the Rabbi was what the congregation called Remorse; also Red-herring.
The King of SchnorrersIsrael Zangwill
red herring
noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
red herring
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
red herring
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.