stool pigeon

noun

1. a pigeon used as a decoy.

2. Also called stooly. Also called stoolie. Slang.,  a person employed or acting as a decoy or informer, especially for the police.

stool pigeon

noun

1. a living or dummy pigeon used to decoy others

2. an informer for the police; nark

3. slang,  a person acting as a decoy

stool pigeon

1. An informer, especially for the police: “Lefty figured out that Mugsy was the stool pigeon when he saw him talking to the warden.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of stool pigeon¹

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

Idioms and Phrases

A decoy or informer, especially a police spy. For example, Watch out for Doug; I'm sure he's a stool pigeon for the supervisor. This term alludes to a bird tied to a stool or similar perch in order to attract other birds, which will then be shot. However, one writer believes that stool is a variant for stale or stall, both nouns used for a decoy bird before 1500 or so. [c. 1820]

Example Sentences

There is something about a healthy personality that feels repelled by a snoop, a snitch, a stool pigeon, an informer.

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Between dead drops and TOR, this meant unlike traditional drug rings, no one actually has to meet face-to-face, shielding the operation from undercovers, turncoats and stool pigeons.

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George Davis is a stool pigeon, an informer and a traitor to the German government.

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“I didn’t send it to you because I wanted you to direct it. I sent it to you because I wanted you to know what I think of stool pigeons.”

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A local veterinarian confirmed the bird is no stool pigeon, saying “lots of police officers have come by and he’s said nothing.”

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