Pigeonholing: meaning, definitions and examples
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pigeonholing
[ ˈpɪdʒənˌhoʊlɪŋ ]
categorization process
Pigeonholing refers to the act of categorizing someone or something in a narrow and often oversimplified way. This term is commonly used in discussions about how people are classified based on stereotypes or limited perceptions. Pigeonholing can lead to misunderstandings and a lack of appreciation for the complexity of individuals or situations. It is often viewed negatively, as it implies a restrictive viewpoint that does not take into account the full range of qualities or attributes.
Synonyms
categorizing, classifying, labeling, stereotyping.
Examples of usage
- Don't pigeonhole him; he has many talents.
- She felt pigeonholed by her job title.
- Pigeonholing can be detrimental to career advancement.
- People pigeonhole artists based on their first work.
Translations
Translations of the word "pigeonholing" in other languages:
🇵🇹 classificação
🇮🇳 श्रेणीबद्ध करना
🇩🇪 Kategorisierung
🇮🇩 pengelompokan
🇺🇦 категоризація
🇵🇱 kategoryzacja
🇯🇵 カテゴリー化
🇫🇷 catégorisation
🇪🇸 clasificación
🇹🇷 kategorize etme
🇰🇷 분류
🇸🇦 تصنيف
🇨🇿 kategorizace
🇸🇰 kategorizácia
🇨🇳 分类
🇸🇮 kategorizacija
🇮🇸 flokkum
🇰🇿 категориялау
🇬🇪 კატეგორიზაცია
🇦🇿 kateqoriyalaşdırma
🇲🇽 clasificación
Etymology
The term 'pigeonhole' originates from the practice of keeping pigeons in small compartments or boxes, known as pigeonholes, which were typically used to house different breeds of pigeons in a very confined manner. The first recorded use of the word dates back to the mid-19th century. The metaphorical extension of this term to human behavior suggests that just as pigeons are unable to escape their compartments, individuals categorized through pigeonholing are often confined within the limitations set by others' perceptions. This concept has grown in use, particularly in social and organizational discussions, where there is a concern about the effects of rigid classifications on personal identity and collaboration. The phrase captures the oversimplification of complex human characteristics into easily recognizable but misleading categories.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #40,290, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.