locker, cubby hole, pigeon hole

[Ju]

Are locker, cubby hole and pigeon hole the same? Are they interchangeable?



ju

 

[JTRiff]

Not teacher

Cubby hole you'll have to look up for an exact meaning, but pigeon hole is a different story. To 'pigeonhole' something is to categorize it - not put it in a hole where a pigeon lives! ) A locker generally refers to a school or gymnasium locker.

 

[riquecohen]

Are locker, cubby hole and pigeon hole the same? Are they interchangeable?



ju

They are not the same. JTRiff has given you a correct definition of the verb pigeonhole, but I believe you are seeking the definition of the nouns. Have you tried looking them up? I suggest OneLook Dictionary Search.

 

[Ju]

They are not the same. JTRiff has given you a correct definition of the verb pigeonhole, but I believe you are seeking the definition of the nouns. Have you tried looking them up? I suggest OneLook Dictionary Search.

I found the definition of cubby hole in OneLook which came with examples which I found difficult to understand. Could you explain the following phrases in red?
___________________________________________________________


1. The doors of our "socialist cubby-hole" are open to anyone, including Obama.
_____________________________________________________

2. In the first year of my marriage I discovered a dusty cubby-hole off Belfast's High Street – Atlantic Records.

(what was the point particularly talking about 'first year of my marriage'?)

___________________________________________________

3. The problem is when, after much denial and forbearance and perseverance, you come to accept the unfortunate fact that the one person you trusted above all others is actually an irredeemable piece of shit that deserves no place in your life whatsoever-not even in a cubby-hole.

(I want to learn more about the usuage whatsoever and whatsoever-not)
_____________________________________________________

4. Does a locker necessarily has to be fixed with a door or a cover?
_______________________________________________________


ju

 

[BobK]

Not teacher

Cubby hole you'll have to look up for an exact meaning, but pigeon hole is a different story. To 'pigeonhole' something is to categorize it - not put it in a hole where a pigeon lives! ) ...

I imagine this use derived from the places where pigeons live in a pigeon loft. And a closer metaphor refers to a physical array of containers. I would often leave an essay in a tutor's pigeon hole; but I didn't pigeonhole it ;-)

b

 

[riquecohen]

I'm sorry that I'm still having trouble posting links, but these should be easy for you to find. Wikipedia has an entry for pigeon-hole with pictures, such as described in BobK's post. The Free Dictionary has an entry for cubby hole, which it describes as a small (or cramped or snug,) enclosed space or room. A small office or apartment is sometimes characterized as a cubby hole. Pigeon holes are sometimes called cubby holes.
As you suggested, a locker generally has a door. Lockers are found in schools, offices, gymnasiums. They are used for storing clothing and personal articles for short periods of time. They may also be found in some bus and train stations to store luggage.

 

[riquecohen]

I found the definition of cubby hole in OneLook which came with examples which I found difficult to understand. Could you explain the following phrases in red?
___________________________________________________________


1. The doors of our "socialist cubby-hole" are open to anyone, including Obama. Presumably, some socialist organization with very small headquarters is inviting anyone who wishes, to visit.
_____________________________________________________

2. In the first year of my marriage I discovered a dusty cubby-hole off Belfast's High Street – Atlantic Records.

(what was the point particularly talking about 'first year of my marriage'?) Only in terms of pinpointing the time of his life when he happened to discover this place, which could be anything; a bar, a bookshop or even a barber shop.

___________________________________________________

3. The problem is when, after much denial and forbearance and perseverance, you come to accept the unfortunate fact that the one person you trusted above all others is actually an irredeemable piece of shit This is a very vulgar, but vivid, expression that is used to describe somebody or something so egregiously bad, worthless or inferior that they (or it) are beyond saving that deserves no place in your life whatsoever-not even in a cubby-hole.

(I want to learn more about the usuage whatsoever and whatsoever-not)
_Whatsoever, in this context, means no matter what.
4. Does a locker necessarily has to be fixed with a door or a cover?
_______________________________________________________


ju

Whatsoever-not is not a word. Replace the hyphen with a comma and read the sentence above as "........no place in your life whatsoever, not even in a cubby-hole." (Not even in the tiniest compartment of your life.)
Numbers 1 and 2 might have been answered more satisfactorily if more context had been provided.