WebbA red herring refers to a misleading or false clue. Red herrings are used to intentionally create a false trail and/or mislead audiences to prevent them from correctly predicting a story ’s outcome before the actual reveal. This phrase comes from an early practice of distracting scent hounds with herring to keep them from pursuit. WebbTo call something misleading a "red herring" is a common turn of phrase, but where does the saying come from, since herrings are not red? Rob explains.

The Grammarphobia Blog: Why a ‘red herring’ is a false clue

Webb17 maj 2016 · Meaning a distraction or false trail, the expression “red herring” has been relatively commonly used for the last two centuries, and its origins do, in fact, begin with … Webb1 juni 2024 · A dried smoked herring, which is turned red by the smoke. 2A clue or piece of information which is or is intended to be misleading or distracting. ‘the book is fast-paced, exciting, and full of red herrings’ ‘the food-supply issue is … how does the acura rdx rate

The saying

Webbred herring A diversionary tactic; a false or deliberately misleading trail. This expression comes from the use of strong-smelling smoked herrings as a lure to train hunting dogs … Webb17 maj 2016 · Meaning a distraction or false trail, the expression “red herring” has been relatively commonly used for the last two centuries, and its origins do, in fact, begin with a rust-colored fish. However, until quite recently, the accepted origins of red herring were themselves a false trail. Webb22 feb. 2024 · It wasn’t until the early 1800s, the dictionary says, that “red herring” took on the figurative sense of a “clue or piece of information which is or is intended to be misleading, or is a distraction from the real question.”. The dictionary’s first example is from the Feb. 14, 1807, issue of Cobbett’s Weekly Political Register ... how does the ageing population affect the nhs