Posted by Bill on November 12, 2006
Regarding the phrase "cotton to" as discussed here:
http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/14/messages/172.html
As in, for example, "I don't cotton to that," usually meaning "I don't like that", I think it is actually an African American slave reference to an abridged saying of, "I don't PICK cotton to that." Which is a reference to the slave songs sung during work. I don't have any proof or references, but I think it logically makes sense. Does anyone have any information about this supposition?