I don't think nitty-gritty has anything to do with slavery.
Of course, I'm happy to be corrected if you have a source.
(
Ghoti Fingers,
Fri 8 Aug 2014, 9:41,
archived)
after trying to source it, it would appear to have 2 trains of thought
neither of which are 100% conclusive, more suggestive, but in the interests of it being friday and almost the weekend, I will bow to your suggestion of non bumming meaning.
(
Ya What Skiddlyboop,
Fri 8 Aug 2014, 11:08,
archived)