Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a long, elaborate and ultimately tedious story.

1549		Latimer Works I (1845) 107: We myghte spende that tyme in reading of prophane hystories, or cantorburye tales.
1579		Fulke Refutation of Heskins, Sanders & Rastel 422: In verie deed a lewd lying counterfeter of more then Caunterburie tales.
1589		Greene Menaphon in Grosart Works (1881–3) VI 86: Whosoeuer Samela descanted of that loue, tolde you a Canterbury tale.
1611		G. Turbervile Bk Falconrie 260: A verie olde womans fable or Cantorburie tale.
1684		Parliament of women 43: In our Town Ale and History go always together: we never tell a Canterbury story, but we drink.
1690		The Royal Flight 18: Ah—Madam, d'ye think I come to tell ye a Canterbury Story.
1772		Bridges Burlesque Homer (3rd edn) 412: And thou, in whom our nation glories / For telling Canterbury stories.
1785		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1797		Bridges Burlesque Homer (4th edn) II 220: [as cit. 1772].
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		‘Jon Bee’ Dict. of the Turf, the Ring, the Chase, etc. 21: Canterbury tale — a long endless story — twaddle.