An effigy in the shape of a man to frighten birds away from seeds

• Scarecrow, e.g
• Deliberately weak argument metaphor
• Hypothetical proposition picked up blemishes lots made less of
• Wily debater’s creation
• Specious figure in an argument
• Rhetorical creation
• Ineffective figurehead

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. (alternative spelling of straw man English)

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. a person used as a cover for some questionable activity [syn: front man , front , figurehead , nominal head , straw man ] a weak or sham argument set up to be easily refuted [syn: straw man ] an effigy in the shape of a man to frighten birds away from ...