tar baby

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noun

a situation, problem, or the like, that is almost impossible to solve or to break away from.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of tar baby

After the tar doll used to trap Brer Rabbit in an Uncle Remus story (1881) of Joel Chandler Harris

In any case, Mofaz appears to have hit the tar-baby between the eyes.
You Missed It, Mofaz|Bernard Avishai|July 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
I felt awfully foolish but I borrowed my policy from the Tar Baby "an' kep' on sayin' nothin'."
At Boarding School with the Tucker Twins|Nell Speed
Our two Visayan forms are of particular interest in that they make use of the “Tar Baby” device to catch the monkey.
Filipino Popular Tales|Dean S. Fansler
I'll say that old tar-baby certainly is got something in his head besides sockets for his teeth to set in.
J. Poindexter, Colored|Irvin Shrewsbury Cobb

When he reached the well he spoke to the tar baby; it did not answer.
Myths and Legends of the Mississippi Valley and the Great Lakes|Various
When you come to glance at the tale you will recollect it—it is as common and familiar as the Tar Baby.
The Letters Of Mark Twain, Volume 3, 1876-1885|Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)