What is a red herring?

Answer by  mammakat (11147)

A red herring is a phrase meaning a decoy, often used in mystery novels- the red herring is a plot line that has you thinking one thing while something entirely different is taking place. Herrings turn red during salting, and this phrase goes back to old English proverbs.

Answer by  Ginny (2251)

It is an expression for something that deflects attention from the truth. For instance, in an argument or discussion, another topic is introduced having nothing to do with the original discussion. The discussion gets diverted from its original intention by "the red herring" that was introduced.

Answer by  John (9008)

A red herring is something that appears to be important, but is actually irrelevant. Generally, the term is used to refer to something that distracts people into being concerned about it when it really does not matter. Often, it leads them to ignore what is really important.