# stool pigeon

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
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.

## 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.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-09-03.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/stool-pigeon