Red herring

How it is used

An informal fallacy of relevance, common in debates and question-and-answer sessions. The name comes from a strong-smelling smoked fish said to throw dogs off a scent. In detective fiction it also means a misleading clue.

Example sentences

1. Whether the author was a nice person is a red herring; focus on the argument.

2. Bringing up the history of the theory was a red herring in a debate about whether it is true.

Common collocations

• a red herring
• throw in a red herring
• red herring fallacy
• irrelevant to the issue

Related terms

• fallacyA common error in reasoning that makes an argument look convincing even though its premises do not properly support its conclusion.
• straw manA fallacy in which someone presents an opponent's view as weaker or more extreme than it really is and then attacks that easier version.
• ad hominemA fallacy in which someone attacks the person making an argument, such as their character or motives, instead of the argument itself.
• false dilemmaA fallacy that presents only two options as if they were the only possibilities, when in fact other options exist.

More terms: Fallacies

• begging the question
• slippery slope
• appeal to authority
• post hoc fallacy
• hasty generalization