In other words, Johnson is proposing that words are like pegs on which we hang our ideas and thoughts. Just as pegs on a wall can hold various items such as coats, hats, or keys, words can hold and represent different ideas, concepts, and pieces of information in our minds.
The quote highlights the connection between language and thought, suggesting that words are intimately tied to our mental processes and play a crucial role in how we think and understand the world around us. Words enable us to categorize and organize our experiences, form abstract concepts, and communicate our thoughts with others.
This idea is significant in various fields, including philosophy, psychology, linguistics, and communication. It underscores the importance of language as a tool for representing and exchanging knowledge, ideas, and information, and emphasizes the role of words in shaping our understanding of the world and our interactions with others.