stool pigeon

noun — 3 senses

stool pigeon

noun

Etymology From the act of tying or even nailing a pigeon to a stool to act as a decoy by hunters. Alternatively, from an alteration of stale (“decoy”) + pigeon.

A pigeon tied to a stool by a piece of twine, used as a decoy to entice free-flying birds to the ground to be shot or trapped.

Gambling, Games Obsolete, Slang A decoy used in a crooked gambling game.

Slang An informer to the authorities, especially one who gives up criminal associates.

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.