stool pigeon

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.

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stool pigeon (plural stool pigeons)

1. (originally) 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. (slang, obsolete) A decoy used in a crooked gambling game.
3. (slang) An informer to the authorities, especially one who gives up criminal associates.

   Synonyms: stoolie, stooly; see also Thesaurus:informant

• 2005: Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 17th ed. Edited by John Ayto.

• not-pologies, notpologies