stool pigeon — a police informer Pigeons were tied to stools to lure other pigeons for capture: Perhaps the incident would have passed without further consequences, for the stool pigeon was no more popular among the guards, most of whom thought he had … How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms
Stool pigeon — Stool Stool, n. [AS. st[=o]l a seat; akin to OFries. & OS. st[=o]l, D. stoel, G. stuhl, OHG. stuol, Icel. st[=o]ll, Sw. & Dan. stol, Goth. st[=o]ls, Lith. stalas a table, Russ. stol ; from the root of E. stand. [root]163. See {Stand}, and cf.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
stool pigeon — ► NOUN 1) a police informer. 2) a person acting as a decoy. ORIGIN so named from the original use of a pigeon fixed to a stool as a decoy … English terms dictionary
stool pigeon — police informer, 1868, American English; earlier one who betrays the unwary (or is used to betray them), 1821, originally a decoy bird (1812); said to be from decoys being fastened to stools to lure other pigeons. But perhaps related to stall… … Etymology dictionary
stool pigeon — [sto͞o′lē] n. ☆ n. 1. a pigeon or other bird used as a decoy 2. a person serving as a decoy 3. Informal a spy or informer, esp. for the police: also stoolie [sto͞o′lē] n … English World dictionary
stool pigeon — stool ,pigeon noun count INFORMAL someone who gives information to the police about criminals … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
stool pigeon — noun 1. someone acting as an informer or decoy for the police • Syn: ↑fink, ↑snitch, ↑snitcher, ↑stoolpigeon, ↑stoolie, ↑sneak, ↑sneaker, ↑canary … Useful english dictionary
stool pigeon — (USA) A stool pigeon is a police informer. (Dorking School Dictionary) *** A person who acts as an informer, especially one who gives information to the police or the authorities, is called a stool pigeon. I don t trust Jack. I… … English Idioms & idiomatic expressions
stool pigeon — {n.} A criminal who informs on his associates. * /The detective was able to solve the crime mainly through information obtained from a stool pigeon./ … Dictionary of American idioms
stool pigeon — {n.} A criminal who informs on his associates. * /The detective was able to solve the crime mainly through information obtained from a stool pigeon./ … Dictionary of American idioms
