English Explanatory Dictionary

stool pigeon

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. 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.
  2. A decoy used in a crooked gambling game.
  3. An informer to the authorities, especially one who gives up criminal associates.

Pronunciation

En-au-stool pigeon.ogg

Word forms

stool pigeon stool pigeons

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.

Synonyms

stoolie stooly abaddon accuser beefer bewrayer bigmouth blabber blabtale blabtongue canary CI finger fink fizgig gossip grass informant informer jurat leak mole narc nark nonce outer peacher quisling rat ratfink rooster sneak snitch snout squealer state's evidence stooge stool pigeon supergrass sycophant tattler tattletale telltale tit telltale tout whistleblower
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