Before revision: In modern usage , tar-baby refers to a problematic situation that is only aggravated by additional involvement with it , usually spelled tar baby, is nowadays sometimes used in American English in the original sense to refer to an inextricable situation or difficult and pressing problem that often grows worse as one tries to deal with it.
After revision: According to the American Heritage Dictionary , tar-baby , usually spelled tar baby, is nowadays sometimes used in American English in the original sense to refer to an inextricable situation or difficult and pressing problem that often grows worse as one tries to deal with it.