macguffin

English - English

Definition of macguffin in English English dictionary

A plot element or other device used to catch the audience's attention and maintain suspense, but whose exact nature has fairly little influence over the storyline

A paleontologist lately returned from an expedition to Wyoming, where he unearthed the bones of the first brontosaurus (and supplied guns to the Indians on behalf of the Foreign Office, which had succeeded in its policy of balkanizing the North American continent) Mallory comes into possession of the MacGuffin during a Derby Day encounter with Byron's daughter (and Babbage's protégée) Ada. Thereafter he is hounded by a whole rogue's gallery of villains bent on reclaiming the MacGuffin.

{i} device that gives impetus to a plot in a movie or a play or book but later turns out to be insignificant (this term was invented by Alfred Hitchcock)

A plot element or other device used to catch the viewers attention and maintain suspense

Synonyms

red herring

Etymology

() Used by Alfred Hitchcock.