The Online Slang Dictionary
(American, English, and Urban slang)

Login     Register     Forgot password     Resend confirmation

Definition of red herring

red herring

noun

  • an argument used to distract someone from the real issue
    Some people say that using ethanol as a fuel is just a red herring distracting people from the real issues of oil dependency and that what we really need is a complete replacement for fossil based fuels.

    Last edited on Dec 16 2010. Submitted by Storm R. from Northern, San Diego, CA, USA on Aug 09 2008.

+Add a definition for this slang term

More info:

Interactive stats:

Related words

Slang terms with the same meaning

None found.

Slang terms with the same root words

Other terms relating to 'red':

Definitions include: menstrual period.
Definitions include: angry, pissed off
Definitions include: an emergency situation.
Definitions include: a strain of marijuana
Definitions include: see Aunt Flo and cousin Red.
Definitions include: to give oral sex to a woman on her period, for the first time.
Definitions include: something that gets on your nerves or bugs you.
Definitions include: in debt.
Definitions include: interjection of surprise, alarm, etc.
Definitions include: to have a great time around town.
Definitions include: a strain of marijuana
Definitions include: figuratively, a very small amount.
Definitions include: mean; spiteful; cruel.
Definitions include: a person who is so intense in his/her competitive spirit that they are constantly on the verge of boiling over.
Definitions include: emergency, or a situation that needs an urgent response.

How common is this slang?

Don't click the following.
I use it(8)  
No longer use it(0)  
Heard it but never used it(8)  
Have never heard it(2)  

How vulgar is this slang?

Average of 11 votes: 28%  (See the most vulgar words.)


Least vulgar  
  Most vulgar

Your vote: None   (To vote, click the pepper. Vote how vulgar the word is – not how mean it is.)


Least vulgar  
  Most vulgar

Where is this slang used?

Logged-in users can add themselves to the map. Login, Register, Login instantly with Facebook.


Link to this slang definition

To link to this term in a web page or blog, insert the following.

<a href="http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/red-herring">red herring</a>

To link to this term in a wiki such as Wikipedia, insert the following.

[http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/red-herring red herring]

Some wikis use a different format for links, so be sure to check the documentation.