What is a stool pigeon?
AI GENERATED RESPONSE FROM BRAVE SEARCH ENGINE:
Stool Pigeon is a term with multiple meanings, primarily rooted in its historical use as a decoy bird and later as a slang term for an informant.
Etymology and Meaning
- The phrase originated from the practice of tying a live or stuffed pigeon to a stool (originally a tree stump or pole) to lure wild birds into nets for hunting.
- The term evolved in American underworld slang during the early 1800s. It first referred to a decoy person used to trick others, particularly in political or criminal schemes.
- By the 1840s, it began to mean a police informer—a person who infiltrates a criminal group to report back to law enforcement.
- The modern definition is a spy or informant, especially one who betrays associates for personal gain or protection.
Cultural References
- Music: Stool Pigeon is a 1982 song by Kid Creole & The Coconuts, from their album Tropical Gangsters. It reached #7 on the UK Singles Chart and is known for its Latin pop and big band style, with a guitar solo by Nile Rodgers on the 12" remix.
- Film & TV: The term appears in film noir, such as Johnny Stool Pigeon (1949), where a narcotics agent uses a convict as an informant. It also appears in modern series like Portobello (2026), where a jailed Camorra member becomes a key witness.
- Board Games: Stool Pigeon is also the name of a 7-minute card game by Barrel Aged Games, themed around mafia intrigue and betrayal.
Common Synonyms
- Informer, snitch, rat, stoolie, canary, fink, sneak, squealer.
The term remains widely used in crime fiction, legal contexts, and everyday language to describe someone who betrays others for personal advantage.
AI-generated answer. Please verify critical facts.
Sunday, March 08, 2026 10:25AM
Sunday, March 08, 2026 10:35AM