Homonym: red herrings (Distraction)
A "red herring" is a logical fallacy or distraction that misleads or diverts attention from the main issue. It often appears in arguments, debates, or discussions, where irrelevant information is introduced to confuse or mislead the audience. This tactic can be used intentionally or unintentionally, but it ultimately detracts from the original topic.
In literature and storytelling, red herrings are commonly used as plot devices to create suspense or mislead readers. For example, in mystery novels, a character or clue may be presented to divert attention from the true culprit, keeping the audience guessing until the end.