red herring

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR red herring ON THESAURUS.COM

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, distractor

Examples 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-yow
Frederick Marryat
The man asked for a red-herring, which was forthwith given to him.
Curiosities of Medical Experience
J. G. (John Gideon) Millingen
Ginger in turn unfolded from its manifold wrappings a red-herring.
Adventures of Bindle
Herbert George Jenkins
"It is what they call a herring, a red-herring, my lady," responded Wilton.
Adventures of Bindle
Herbert George Jenkins
After that the Rabbi was what the congregation called Remorse; also Red-herring.
The King of Schnorrers
Israel Zangwill

British Dictionary definitions for red herring

red herring

noun

anything that diverts attention from a topic or line of inquiry

a herring cured by salting and smoking

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for red herring

"smoked herring" early 15c. (they turn red when cured), as opposed to white herring "fresh herring." Supposedly used by fugitives to put bloodhounds off their scent (1680s), hence metaphoric sense (1864) of "something used to divert attention from the basic issue;" earlier simply "a false lead":

Though I have not the honour of being one of those sagacious country gentlemen, who have so long vociferated for the American war, who have so long run on the red-herring scent of American taxation before they found out there was no game on foot; (etc.) [Parliamentary speech dated March 20, 1782, reprinted in "Beauties of the British Senate," London, 1786]

red herring in Culture

red herring

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.

Idioms and Phrases with red herring

red herring

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]