[Ads-l] cotton-pickin(g)

[dave at WILTON.NET]

The latest I have, written a few years ago is here: https://www.wordorigins.org/big-list-entries/cotton-picking-cotton-picker

It dates as a literal, racialized epithet (a demeaning term for an enslaved person who actually picks cotton) from the mid-19th century. There is a 1919 citation for as a general term of abuse, and it becomes common around 1930.

-----Original Message-----
From: American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU> On Behalf Of Pete Morris
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2021 10:11 PM
To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: [ADS-L] cotton-pickin(g)

What is currently known about the origin of Cotton-pickin(g) as a term?

Etymology Online says:

https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=cotton-picking

as a deprecatory term first recorded in a Bugs Bunny cartoon, but a similar noun cotton-picker meaning "contemptible person" dates to around 1919, perhaps with racist overtones that have faded over the years. 
Before mechanization, cotton picking was the most difficult labor on a plantation.

I've seen the Bugs Bunny claim all over the internet. The specific cartoon isn't identified.

But I've found two examples from 20+ years before Bugs. Is this an antedating?



--------------------------------

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt/search?q1=%22cotton-pickin+chicken+stealer%22&id=inu.32000000494254&view=1up&seq=508&num=26

"You cotton-pickin chicken stealer " he howls.

Short story : Cutey and The Beast
The American Magazine
May 1917

------------------------------

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt/search?q1=%22You+cotton-pickin%27%2C+stump-jumpin%27%2C+ridge-runnin%27%2C+moon-+shiner%22&id=uc1.ax0003459823&view=1up&seq=9


"You cotton-pickin', stump-jumpin', ridge-runnin', moon- shiner"

Article: Hoo's Hoo Column and Hoo said it.
History of Company A : 307th Engineer Regiment.
1919



-- 
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org