stool pigeon

noun

: a criminal who gives the police information about other criminals

Full Definition of STOOL PIGEON

: a person acting as a decoy or informer; especially : a spy sent into a group to report (as to the police) on its activities

: a pigeon used as a decoy to draw others within a net

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probably from the early practice of fastening the decoy bird to a stool

First Known Use: 1826

Synonyms: betrayer, canary [slang], deep throat, fink, informant, nark [British], rat, rat fink, snitch, snitcher, squealer, stoolie, informer, talebearer, tattler, tattletale, telltale, whistle-blower

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