Red Herring




Previous Page

Red Herring : Phrases



Meaning:

A false trail.


Example:







Origin:

This phrase refers to smoked herring. In many parts of 19th century Britain, such fish have a very strong smell and were usually known, not as kippers, but as red herrings. Because of their smell, they were good at masking other smells. As a result, they could easily cover the scent of a fox. A red herring pulled across the trail could divert the hounds onto a false path. Thus, by analogy, the phrase came to be used to describe any false trail.





Phrases Index





From Red Herring to HOME PAGE



Share
Additional Info

Follow These Links!


{ezoic-ad-1}
{ez_footer_ads}