Ignoratio elenchi

also known as irrelevant conclusion or irrelevant thesis.

Similar to ignoratio elenchi, a red herring is an argument, given in reply, that does not address the original issue. Critically, a red herring is a deliberate attempt to change the subject or divert the argument. This is known formally in the English vocabulary as a digression which is usually denoted as "red herring".

The term red herring comes from the time when criminals would use fish to lead sniffer dogs off the trail.

Although similar...Don't shoot the messenger. Ne nuntium necare
Don't shoot the messenger. Don't blame the person who brings bad news. This idea was expressed by Sophocles as far back as 442 B.C. and much later by Shakespeare in 'Henry IV, Part II' (1598) and in 'Antony and Cleopatra' (1606-07)

People who lie, will not attack the lie they are caught telling, they will attack the messenger, they will attack the arugment...but they will not defend their lie.

So...if someone you know tells you something, and the liar attacks the person who exposes them or the lie...be aware. You have a choice. That choice is clear. Let the liar get away with it. Or hold them accountable.

I say...be clever...and never kill the messenger...and if you smell something fishy...it is obviously a red herring.

Love,
The lass