sprat

Thomas Sprat, an English prelate and poet, died; he was distinguished as a writer, and rewarded with preferments.

The Judge inquired if that was the sole object of the plaintiff, or was it not rather baiting with a sprat to catch a herring?

Baxter—so soon as it is ready—will let you see a proof of my introduction, which is only sent out as a sprat to catch whales.

Stow-boating is really sprat catching, and no one can exactly explain the meaning of the term.