specchietto per le allodole

Italian

Etymology

Literally, “little mirror for the larks.”

Noun

specchietto per le allodole m (plural specchietti per le allodole)

1. (literal) series of mirrors used to attract larks during hunting
2. (figurative, by extension) decoy, red herring, smoke and mirrors
   • 2023 March 15, Editorial staff, “Senza sorprese il primo duello in aula tra Schlein e Meloni [Surprise surprise, the first duel in the [legislative] hall between Schlein and Meloni]”, in Italia Informa‎^[1]:

     "Senza salario minimo — ha detto Schlein — il lavoro è sfruttamento. Specchietto per le allodole? Vada a dirlo a chi percepisce una paga da fame".

     "Without a minimum wage", Schlein said, "labor is exploitation. Just a red herring? Go tell that to the people who earn starvation wages".