Neither fish nor flesh, nor good red herring

Definitions

• Indecisiveness or lack of clear identity
  To describe something or someone that does not fit into any particular category or cannot be easily defined

• Unimportance or insignificance
  To indicate that something or someone is of little consequence or value

Examples of Neither fish nor flesh, nor good red herring

• The detective's theory was neither supported by the evidence nor plausible enough to be considered a viable suspect.

  This idiomatic expression is used to describe something that is neither one thing nor another, and in this case, it suggests that the evidence did not strongly support the detective's theory, and it was not convincing enough to be considered a reliable lead.

• The author's writing style was neither traditional nor modern, but a unique blend of both.

  This idiomatic expression is used to describe something that cannot be easily categorized and that combines elements of different things. In this case, it suggests that the author's writing style was not strictly traditional or modern, but rather a unique and original blend of both.

• The person's behavior was neither logical nor rational, but rather erratic and unpredictable.

  This idiomatic expression is used to describe something that is neither logical nor rational, but rather irrational or unpredictable. In this case, it suggests that the person's behavior did not make sense or follow a reasonable pattern.

• The discussion was neither thought-provoking nor insightful, but rather superficial and uninteresting.

  This idiomatic expression is used to describe something that is neither thought-provoking nor insightful, but rather uninteresting or shallow. In this case, it suggests that the discussion did not challenge the listeners' thinking or provide new insights into the topic being discussed.

Conclusion

The idiom "Neither fish nor flesh, nor good red herring" can be used to convey indecisiveness or lack of clear identity, as well as to express unimportance or insignificance. It is often used to describe something or someone that does not fit into any particular category or cannot be easily defined, or to indicate that something or someone is of little consequence or value.

Origin of "Neither fish nor flesh, nor good red herring"

The origin of the idiom "Neither fish nor flesh, nor good red herring" can be traced back to the 16th century. The phrase "neither fish, flesh, nor good red herring" was first recorded in Thomas More's work "A dyaloge of Syr Thomas More knyghte... vpon the pater noster" in 1529. In this context, the phrase was used to describe a person who could not be easily categorized or defined.

Over time, the phrase evolved into the current form "Neither fish nor flesh, nor good red herring" and became more widely used to describe things or people that do not fit into any particular category or are of little consequence. The inclusion of "good red herring" in the idiom is a reference to the red herring, a type of fish that was often used as a distraction or false trail in hunting. This adds a layer of metaphorical meaning to the idiom, emphasizing the idea of something being misleading or unimportant.