red herring

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Noun 1.2.1 Translations 1.2.2 See also 1.2.3 References

[edit] English

Wikipedia

[edit] Etymology

Until 2008, the accepted etymology of the idiom was that red herring were used to train dogs to track scents. This has proven to be a false etymology.^[1]

It originated from a news story by English journalist William Cobbett, c. 1805, in which he claimed that as a boy he used a red herring (a cured and salted herring) to mislead hounds following a trail; the story served as an extended metaphor for the London press, which had earned Cobbett's ire by publishing false news accounts regarding Napoleon. ^[1]

[edit] Noun

red herring (plural red herrings)

1. A smoke-cured and salt-brined herring strong enough to turn the flesh red; a type of kipper.

   "Up in the morning, and had some red herrings to our breakfast, while my boot-heel was a-mending, by the same token the boy left the hole as big as it was before." (Samuel Pepys diary entry of 28 February 1660)^[2]

2. (idiomatic) A clue that is misleading or that has been falsified, intended to divert attention.

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also

• clue
• diversion
• evidence
• wild-goose chase

[edit] References

• Notes:

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} 2008, Michael Quinion, "The Lure of the Red Herring", World Wide Words.
2. ^ Samuel Pepys (1893). "The Diary of Samuel Pepys M.A. F.R.S.." Samuel Pepys' Diary. URL accessed on February 21 2006.