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[–]penelopepnortneyBecome ungovernable 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (7 children)

You might also hear this one modified with 'pea-pickin'

Haven't heard that one in ages. My aunt said it to me once when we were visiting her in Georgia, bless your pea-pickin' little heart. I think we were picking peas at the time (not really, but she did say it to me).

[–]risistill me[S] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (6 children)

And you were nowhere near a pea patch!

[–]penelopepnortneyBecome ungovernable 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

Actually, I could have been. I remember we'd sit on the porch in the evening sometimes shelling peas.

[–]risistill me[S] 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (3 children)

I looked up "pea pickin'", which I'd heard before, but never parsed. People think it's a variation of cotton pickin', which is used as a {very} mild swear word!

[–]penelopepnortneyBecome ungovernable 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

What was the definition, did you find one? Please tell me my aunt wasn't swearing at me...

[–]risistill me[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

I posted all I found, except that Tennessee Ernie Ford used it in a catch phrase. I didn't attempt a deepp dive, though.

Sometimes, mild expletives are used fondly. Example: If a toddler is being especially adorable someone wanting to hug him might say, "Get over here, you little so and so."

Even harder core swear words are sometimes used fondly. Example: A guy's crew throws him the best bachelor party. He responds with, "I love you sons of bitches; I really do."

IOW, most likely, your Aunt used pea pickin' fondly.

[–]penelopepnortneyBecome ungovernable 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Good to know! I've heard some cute terms for kids like "ankle biters" and "rug rats" that the kids probably don't care about even if their parents are offended.

[–]risistill me[S] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

So iconic!