nitty gritty

[Angelapeter]

what does nitty gritty mean

[Quizmonster]

Click here. That will link you to a web-page with the answer.

[madjack]

it refers back to the slave trade, when the crew, starting with officers had their way sexually withe the female slaves. "get down to the nitty gritty" means the lowest down slaves in the ships hold and therefore the filthiest

[david small]

I refute madjacks explanation. It means down to basics, the root of the problem etc.