Originally, scholars thought that this idiom originated from a 1697 reference that talked about how to organize a hunt. The process turns the fish’s flesh dark red and gives it a powerfully pungent smell. Origin of the Idiomįirst off, there’s actually no such fish as a “red herring.” Rather, it’s a name given to a type of dried fish (typically herring) that is either smoked or brined. By providing alternate (albeit false) trails, writers are able to pack in more details that ultimately create a more interesting story. When authors use red herrings effectively, readers are rewarded with the realization that they’ve been tricked all along, and the ending comes as a total surprise.Īside from thickening the plot, red herrings are also opportunities to flesh out characters, scenes, and other narrative details. It’s a powerful way to engage a reader and make them believe they’re onto something. To create more unique and less predictable mysteries, they throw in a few deceptive details to confuse readers. Writers often use this literary device to create surprising twists in their stories. Just as magicians bedazzle their audiences with fancy hand waves while setting up their deception, writers use red herrings to distract the reader while preparing the real conclusion of their story. The red herring is a writer’s equivalent of a magic trick. Remember how, in Harry Potter, Severus Snape is portrayed as a villain throughout the series? And then, at the very last part, we learn the true nature of his character. A favorite trope in detective fiction, red herrings are false clues that lead readers to an incorrect conclusion.
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