In shortReaders who land here meaning Chekhov's Gun rather than Red herring are usually searching for phrases like “what is chekhovs gun”, “if a gun appears in act one”, “chekhovs gun vs foreshadowing”.

In shortRed herring. 1807 — William Cobbett tells the hound-distracting story in his Political Register, popularising the figurative use — and possibly inventing the anecdote.

1. 1807

   Red Herring. William Cobbett tells the hound-distracting story in his Political Register, popularising the figurative use — and possibly inventing the anecdote.

2. 1889

   Chekhov's Gun. Chekhov writes to a fellow writer: 'One must not put a loaded rifle on the stage if no one is thinking of firing it.'

• Chekhov's GunLiterary & Rhetorical
• Red HerringLiterary & Rhetorical

• Chekhov's gun vs foreshadowing