Red herring is smoked herring. They turn red when cured. White herring is fresh herring. Red herring was supposedly used by fugitives to put bloodhounds off their scent, which is where the term “red herring” came to be used as a mystery term for something used to divert attention from the truth: false clues.
I did not know that about red herrings. That could be for two reasons: 1) because I don’t get out enough, or 2) because this post is a “red herring” diverting attention from the truth! Hmmm…
LOL That’s funny, Liam!