She didn't do a 'cotton-picking' [='damned, darned'] thing all day.
It took a while, but they are finally starting to 'cotton on'.
He doesn't 'cotton to' the idea of having children.
(..) Mother said you could always tell a lady by her hands. I guess things like hands and ladies don't matter so much anymore. You rest, Sue, you're not well yet, and I can pick cotton for both of us. Scarlett's hateful, making us work in the fields like-- Too bad about that. Now get back to work. (..)1939 Gone with the Wind
(..) are better equipped than we. They've got factories, shipyards, coal mines... ...and a fleet to bottle up our harbors and starve us to death. All we've got is cotton and slaves and arrogance. -That's Yankee treachery! -Sir, I refuse to listen to any renegade talk! I'm sorry if the truth offends you. (..)1939 Gone with the Wind