Pickin

/ˈpɪkɪn/ verb

Definition

Informal or dialectal spelling of 'picking': to select or remove something, or to play a stringed instrument.

Etymology

From Old English 'pician' (to peck), which likely came from a Germanomic source imitative of the pecking motion. Dropping the 'g' in '-ing' is common in casual speech.

Kelly Says

In American music, 'pickin'' became iconic in bluegrass and country music—when musicians talk about 'pickin' a guitar,' they mean a specific style of playing individual strings rapidly rather than strumming.

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