Etymology

Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1986 passim, shows first known usages for things insubstantial date to 1585-95. Universal Dictionary of the English Language, 1897, Vol 4, p. 4485, notes "man of straw" as "The figure of a man formed of an old suit of clothes stuffed with straw; hence, the mere resemblance of a man; one of no substance or means; an imaginary person."

Noun

1. A doll or scarecrow.
2. An insubstantial concept, idea, or endeavor.
3. Something, such as an argument, deliberately set up weakly supported, so that it can be easily knocked down; especially to impugn the strength of any related thing or idea.
4. An innocuous person or someone of nominal or lesser importance, as a front man or straw boss. cf. straw poll, straw shoe, straw vote.