cotton-picking

adjective

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cot·ton-pick·ing | \ ˈkä-tᵊn-ˌpi-kiŋ

, -ˌpi-kən \

Definition of cotton-picking

offensive

: damned —used as an intensive or as a generalized expression of disapproval

Note: Widely considered offensive, the adjective cotton-picking is seen as belittling labor that millions of Black people were forced to do in the southern United States from the late 18th century and into the 20th century, first as enslaved people and later as sharecroppers.

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Dictionary Entries Near cotton-picking

cotton picker

cotton-picking

cotton powder

Statistics for cotton-picking

Cite this Entry

“Cotton-picking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cotton-picking. Accessed 17 May. 2022.

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