David Couper

Picture a square peg and a round hole and you will start to get an idea of what I mean. Years ago, when carpenters built a house or made a piece of furniture, the wood was joined together with wooden pegs. A round peg fits exactly into a round hole. A square peg - one which has not been shaped by a carpenter - will not fit into a round hole. A square peg either falls through the hole or is too tight to fit or has to be forced to make a joint. At best there will be gaps around the peg where air can go. At worst the wood will split. If you are building a house and there are holes around the peg the wind will blow through, the pegs may come loose and the house or piece of furniture might collapse. No wonder the phrase “square peg in a round hole” had so much power.