herring

Everyday

1. A herring is a small silver fish that lives in big groups in the North Atlantic and other cold seas. tree →
2. Herring is also the fish eaten as food, often smoked (a kipper) or pickled. tree →
3. A red herring is a clue or fact that leads you the wrong way, on purpose or by accident. tree →

In the lessons

In science, herring are an example of a fish that swims in shoals and is eaten by seals, whales and seabirds — a link in a food chain. In history, herring fishing made many coastal towns rich. In stories and mysteries, «a red herring» is a false clue that distracts the reader or detective. In maths problems, a red herring is a number in the question that you do not need. Phrases: «a shoal of herring», «pickled herring», «red herring», «packed like herrings».

Examples

• A shoal of herring flashed silver in the sea. tree →
• Grandad eats pickled herring on toast. tree →
• A smoked herring is called a kipper. tree →
• Puffins and seals eat herring. tree →
• The muddy footprint was a red herring; the thief came in through the window. tree →
• This word problem has a red herring: the age of the bus driver does not matter. tree →
• The fishing boats came back full of herring. tree →

Note

Plural: «herring» or «herrings»; «herring» is common for fish in the sea and as food. «Red herring» is an idiom: it is not a real red fish. In maths word problems, look out for red herrings — extra numbers you should not use.