Definition & Meaning of "attach a label to somebody or something "

What is the origin of the idiom "attach a label to someone or something" and when to use it?

The idiom "attach a label to someone or something" originated from the practice of physically affixing labels or tags to objects to provide information or categorize them. Figuratively, the phrase signifies the act of assigning a specific designation, stereotype, or characteristic to a person or thing based on preconceived notions or generalizations. It implies categorizing or simplifying complex individuals or concepts by placing them into predefined boxes, often leading to oversimplification or misrepresentation.