Red Herring Scent Awry Poem by John Richard Anderson

Note: A red herring is something that misleads or distracts from a relevant or important issue sending the stalker off on a wild goose chase. This concept is rich in images and word play opportunities. It is thought that the expression arose when a kipper (a red herring; a strong-smelling smoked and dried fish) was dragged over the ground as a scent trail to divert hounds from chasing a hare during a hunt. The phrase was later used to describe a logical fallacy and literary device to deceive deliberately or accidentally. It is often used by politicians and by educators as a trick or ruby ruse.