Make Your Point > Archived Issues > RED HERRING

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explore the archives: Remarkable, a fantastic novel for children by Lizzie K. Foley, features a character named Captain Rojo Herring. Guess what role he plays in the story? Spoiler alert: he's not the real villain. While we're thinking about children's literature, let's recall The NeverEnding Story by Michael Ende. Or recall the movie--that'll work! Anyway, is Bastian the hero or the villain? And why is that appropriate, word-wise? make your point with... "RED HERRING" Here's a term most of us are familiar with, but let's take a close look at it to see how we might apply it better. A literal red herring is a type of smoked fish. As the story goes, centuries ago, fugitives being tracked by dogs would use this strong-smelling fish to throw those dogs off the trail. So, a figurative red herring is anything that distracts us from the real issue. Pronunciation: RED HAIR ing Part of speech: Countable noun. (Countable nouns, like "bottle," "piece," and "decision," are words for things that can be broken into exact units. You talk about "a bottle," "three pieces," and "many decisions." Likewise, talk about one red herring or multiple red herrings.) Other forms: none How to use it: Whether you're talking about fiction or real life, call something a red herring when it's a misleading or sneaky distraction from the real issue or from a much more important issue. A question or objection, a request or demand, a speech or conversation, a new line of questioning, a publicity stunt--any of these can be considered a red herring, labeled a red herring, used as a red herring, or rejected or cast aside as a red herring. With the image in mind of a fish being dragged across a trail, sometimes we talk about dragging (or dragging in) a red herring, dragging a red herring across the path to something else, throwing someone off with a red herring, or using a red herring to throw someone off the scent of something else. (Although dictionaries suggest that an accidental or innocent distraction can also be called a red herring, I don't recommend using the word that way: you might confuse people. These days, when we call something a red herring, we mean someone was purposefully pushing our focus away from the more important idea.) examples: On one hand, it seems cruel to give kids math problems full of red herrings. On the other, it prepares them for adult life: half the work in solving a problem involves finding the right information. His opponents argued that he must not have much faith in public education since he sent his kids to private school, a complaint he dismissed as a red herring. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "red herring" means when you can explain it without saying "diversion" or "sneaky redirection to avoid facing the real issue." try it out: Think of a time you thought, "Hmm, why does this keep getting brought up?" Fill in the blanks: "Considering (a much more important issue), all this talk of _____ is little more than a red herring." Example: "Considering our need to reach an agreement on the total price, all this talk of monthly payments is little more than a red herring."  before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, we're playing with the original and literal meanings of familiar words. I'll give you three words and their original or literal definitions, and you'll match them up. Easy! But then the following day, see if you can recall those old meanings. Hard! :) Our game has two purposes. One, we'll visit the interesting, thought-provoking old meanings of words. And two, we'll remind ourselves of a powerful learning strategy: delayed recalling. Let's play! First, try to recall from yesterday the literal meanings of "escape" and "glamour" and the original meaning of "extinct." Answers appear at the bottom of this issue. Next, match these words to their original or literal definitions in the answer bank below: 1. "Glory" originally meant _____ 2. "Cul-de-sac" literally means _____ 3. "Comet" literally means _____ Answer bank: A. "long-haired star." B. "the bottom of a sack." C. "a boastful spirit." review today's word: 1. The closest opposite of RED HERRING is A. KING CRAB B. SPOTLIGHT C. FENCE 2. They're throwing all this information at us now, and honestly, it _____ like a red herring. A. looks B. sounds C. smells Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to game questions: 1. "Extinct" originally meant "extinguished (as in, no longer burning)." 2. "Escape" literally means "to leave your pursuer holding only your cape." 3. "February" literally means "purification." Answers to review questions: 1. B 2. C