One who's slow to pick things up

SLOB

This person might leave a trail of clothes or dishes behind, often seen as careless with their surroundings. Think less about speed and more about tidiness.

This clue plays on two meanings of "pick things up." Literally, a "slob" might be slow to tidy up messes, but the real trick is the phrase’s other sense—someone who’s not quick to learn or understand. The word "slob" here hints at laziness or carelessness, which fits both interpretations. It’s a clever way to misdirect solvers into thinking about physical actions before realizing the mental angle.