Word To Use Today: stalking-horse.

A horse is an obvious sort of a thing:


photo by Mikel Ortega https://www.flickr.com/people/58922703@N00

and so not much good, one would think, for stalking. In a game of Grandmother's Footsteps, for instance, it would be a strategic error to bring along a horse.

But horses, while large and noisy in several directions, are not known for their treachery. And that's where they help with stalking.

The idea is that you hide behind your horse when you're stalking your quarry (it will probably be some sort of wildfowl) and then you'll be able to get close without scaring them off. If you haven't got a horse then apparently you can use an imitation one.

No, really:



The term stalking-horse is now used more widely to mean anything designed to distract attention from a plot. It might be something like inviting the mayor to a party so you can assassinate the hired butler, but more often it's a term used in politics when a new strategy is proposed by a minor figure. If the strategy proves unpopular then this minor figure is relatively unaffected because he hasn't much influence to lose, and if it is popular then a major figure will step forward and take it over. Either way, the minor figure will be protected and, if possible, promoted by the major one.

Low, self-serving cunning?

Well, that's politicians for you.

Word To Use Today: stalking-horse. The word stalk comes from the Old English bestealcian, to walk stealthily.