Red herring

Red Herring is a term commonly used to describe a logical fallacy or a rhetorical strategy where an irrelevant topic is presented in order to divert attention from the original issue. The concept is widely applicable in various fields such as literature, debates, and especially in detective fiction, where it serves to mislead the audience or characters. The origin of the term is believed to be from the practice of using smoked or cured red herrings to train or distract hunting dogs from their trails.

Etymology

The phrase "Red Herring" has its roots in the early 1800s. The red herring is a type of fish that turns a reddish-brown color when cured in brine or heavily smoked. This preservation method was common in England and was thought to create a strong, pungent smell that could be used to train hounds to follow a scent, or conversely, to throw them off the scent when hunting. Over time, the term evolved metaphorically to refer to any diversion or misleading tactic.

Usage in Literature and Media

In literature and media, a red herring is a plot device used to mislead readers or audiences into thinking a particular event, character, or item is of greater importance than it actually is, thereby diverting attention away from the true significant element. This technique is prevalent in mystery or detective genres, where it serves to keep the audience guessing and maintain suspense.

Logical Fallacy

As a logical fallacy, a red herring refers to the introduction of irrelevant material to an argument to divert attention from the subject of the argument. The presence of a red herring may indicate that one party is attempting to avoid the topic of discussion or to shift the debate in a different direction.

Examples

1. In detective novels, an innocent character may be presented with suspicious behavior to mislead the reader into believing they are the culprit. 2. In debates or political speeches, a speaker might introduce an unrelated issue to avoid addressing the argument at hand.

Detection and Criticism

Identifying a red herring involves recognizing that the topic being discussed has been changed to something irrelevant to the original issue. Critics argue that the use of red herrings, especially in logical arguments, is a dishonest tactic as it misleads and manipulates the audience's understanding of the topic.

See Also

• Logical fallacy
• Plot twist
• Suspense
• Mystery fiction