However, there are some theories about its possible origins:
* Connection to the material: The word "cotton" is associated with softness and comfort. It's possible the idiom evolved from the idea of "taking to something" or "being receptive to something" like a soft cotton blanket.
* Southern US slang: Some believe the phrase originated in the Southern United States, where cotton was a major crop. It might have evolved from a Southern colloquialism referencing the action of picking cotton, implying a willingness to participate or agree.
* Metaphorical usage: It's also possible that the phrase developed through metaphorical usage. "Cotton" could be a stand-in for something that is agreeable or easy to accept, and "to" could imply movement towards that agreeable state.
Without concrete evidence, it's impossible to definitively pinpoint the origin of this idiom. It's likely a phrase that emerged organically in spoken language, and its meaning evolved over time.
Regardless of its exact origin, "cotton to that" is a playful, informal idiom that generally means "to agree with something" or "to be receptive to something."