An adjective of Southern U.S. origin: Pain in the ass. Difficult. Bothersome. God-forsaken. Irritating. Frustrating. Crazy-making. Idiotic. Unbearable.
Originated as a descriptor for the labor of harvesting cotton crops.
Later used to described the farm-workers, primarily african-
american slaves, who harvested the crops.
May be offensive, and perceived as derogatory or insulting, to any intelligent or enlightened audience if spoken aloud.
"Are you out of your
cotton-pickin' mind?" "Assembling IKEA furniture is so cotton-pickin' hard if you
don't follow the instructions." "My
boss is such a cotton-pickin' fool."