RED HERRING • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Red herring

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/rɛd hˈɛrɪŋ/ Listen

Red herring

noun

Any diversion intended to distract attention from the main issue.

A dried and smoked herring having a reddish color. Synonym: smoked herring.

A first draft of a prospectus; must be clearly marked to indicate that parts may be changed in the final prospectus. Synonym: preliminary prospectus.

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Etymology of 'Red herring'

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"Red herring" Quotes from Famous Books

... A retired tradesman who tries to forget he was ever behind the counter, and who goes through life aping the manners of gentlefolk, is a poor sort of body in my eyes; he is neither fish, fowl, nor good red herring. Now Mr. O'Brien is as proud of being a corn-chandler as'—he paused for a simile—'as our drummer-boy was of belonging to the ...

— Lover or Friend • Rosa Nouchette Carey

Words linked to "Red herring" : digression, diversion, course catalogue, herring, prospectus, deflection, course catalog, deflexion, deviation, divagation, smoked herring