red herring

noun4

1. •
   A herring that is cured in smoke and brine strong enough to turn the flesh red; a type of kipper.

   • Up in the morning, and had some red herrings to our breakfast, while my boot-heel was a-mending, by the same token the boy left the hole as big as it was before. — 1660
2. •
   (figurative) A clue, information, argument, etc. that is or is intended to be misleading, diverting attention from the real answer or issue.

   • Caroline visibly wavered for a second or two, much as a roulette ball might coyly hover between two numbers. Then she declined the tempting red herring. — 1926
3. •
   A red herring prospectus.
4. •
   (slang, no longer used) A soldier.