Something used to divert attention form the real matter, issue or object(a dead red herring was often used to confuse or test the scent of a hunting dog)
by The Return of Light Joker December 14, 2007
In novels, usually mystery novels, a "red herring" is an extraneous character meant to divert the reader's attention from the true killer/robber/etc. It is usually a logical choice for the culprit, but ends up being nothing.
by Clinto September 6, 2005
Red herrings were often used by jail birds to mislead hound dogs that were tracking them.
The expression "red herring" refers to something that is misleading.
The expression "red herring" refers to something that is misleading.
by F B August 31, 2007
Herrings put into a tub with salt or brine, later spitted on sharp wooden spits, and hung up in a chimney to be smoked and dried. Such preserved fish would keep for months (and indeed they were transported in barrels to provide protein on long sea voyages) but were inedible in this state and needed to be soaked to soften them and remove the salt before they could be cooked.
Do I smell a rat?
One key characteristic of red herrings, apart from their colour, was their strong smell, so much so that one use for them on occasion was to train hounds to follow a scent.
a deliberately misleading object
Do I smell a rat?
One key characteristic of red herrings, apart from their colour, was their strong smell, so much so that one use for them on occasion was to train hounds to follow a scent.
a deliberately misleading object
by Andreas Wb May 10, 2005
technique used by politicians, often conservatives, to distract voters' attention away from real and true issues that need immediate address.
Reporter: "President Bush, we have had more casualties in Iraq this month than in any other month."
President Bush: "Casualties, man gay people want to get married!"
Commentator: "Wow, did you see that red herring Bush just threw out there? Amazing stuff folks!"
President Bush: "Casualties, man gay people want to get married!"
Commentator: "Wow, did you see that red herring Bush just threw out there? Amazing stuff folks!"
by sickmaker April 12, 2008
you cum in a girls eyes then you hit her in the nose with a rowing oar. causing her nose to bleed everywhere and flop around like a fish.
Side effects: broken nose, blindness, and/or death
Side effects: broken nose, blindness, and/or death
In the Red Herring, Seth cummed in the girl's eyes while brian hit her with a rowing oar, resulting in an emergency room trip for the girl and tons of laughter for seth and brian.
by Captain Sanders (b4 promotion) July 11, 2008
a passe term that most folks would like to dispense with - bringing to mind smelly fish. A pretentious saying that only pundits and a-holes use.
He brought up the term "red herring" in a conversation and his entourage looked at one another like he had leprosy.
by Susan Robb September 24, 2009