# neither fish, flesh, nor good red herring

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/neither-fish-flesh-nor-good-red-herring
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Synonym of neither fish nor fowl (“not easily categorized; not rightly belonging or fitting well in a given group or situation; also, not having the advantages of the various options”).

## Examples

- This new device is neither fish, flesh, nor good red herring.
- The committee rejected the proposal because it was neither fish, flesh, nor good red herring, failing to address any of the core issues.
- The candidate's speech was neither fish, flesh, nor good red herring, as he tried to please both sides but ended up saying nothing of substance to anyone.
- The hybrid policy proved to be neither fish, flesh, nor good red herring, as it lacked the structure of the old system while failing to provide the flexibility promised by the new one.

## Origin

The expression draws upon a metonymic classification of mediaeval society, in which three distinct foods were assigned to the three recognised social classes. Fish represented the clergy, flesh represented the commoners, and red herring represented the paupers. As these three categories were regarded as an exhaustive account of the population, a thing falling outside them lacked a social identity entirely.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.