By David Hegg

I have several quirks that too often show up in conversations. One of them is that I am intrigued by the weird phrases and terms we throw around, which communicate something quite different from the actual words. Recently, I heard someone express chagrin for having been “pigeonholed.” That struck me funny as I envisioned an adult human male being stuffed into a pigeon nesting box through a hole in the front. I went on to say so, and the weird looks of my conversation partners told me once again my sense of humor was unappreciated. But let’s consider what this phrase from the pigeon world means.

To be “pigeonholed” is to be assigned to a particular class or category without accurately assessing one’s qualities or characteristics. Simply put, it is to be given a label that communicates the group, worldview, or lane to which you belong based on incomplete knowledge of who you are and what you believe.

It means to be stuffed into a hole that doesn’t fit! Yes, “pigeonholing” is an accepted form of that pernicious toxin called prejudice.

Sadly, we’ve become a........

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