history
From 《旧唐书·李密传》 (Old Book of Tang, Biography of Li Mi): 罄南山之竹，书罪未穷 - 'exhaust the bamboo of the southern mountains, and his crimes still cannot be fully recorded.' Originally a battle proclamation cataloguing Emperor Yang of Sui's misdeeds.
usage
Strictly negative - only for crimes, sins, or wrongdoing. Don't use it for 'too many good deeds to count' (that would be a famous misuse by a Taiwanese politician in 2006).
