What does it mean to 'cotton to' something?

The predominant meaning of "to cotton" is to like something. Cotton on to ... Besides its usual sense as a noun for the plant used to make cloth, cotton is also a verb meaning to get along with, to like. ... Oct 17, 2013 - Sparky is said to be a headless man who does not take a cotton to uninvited guests. read more

1. To like someone or something; to view someone or something favorably. It takes me a while to cotton to new people—I have to get to know them first. After we explained our plan again, the rest of the group seemed to cotton onto it. read more

It seems that 'cotton to', 'cotton on to' all derive from the same root source, that is, the verb 'to cotton'. In the UK and its antipodes it has settled down as 'cotton on to', with the meaning 'form an understanding of' and in the USA it is 'cotton to', with the 'take a liking to' meaning. read more