Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. an excl. of surprise (‘really?’ ‘honestly?’) or ironic surprise (‘you don’t say!’).

c.1895		Actionable Offenses ‘Slim Hadley on a Racket’ (2007) [cylinder recording ENMS 30190] ‘What kind of a girl would you like?’ ‘Oh, well, I reckon a little girl with big titties and a wide arse’ ‘[...] Maud! Maud! Maud! ’S a gentleman in the parlor’ ‘I’ll be down in a minute. I’ve got three Spanish fellows here buyin’ wine’ ‘No shit, every old bag’s named Maud’.
1939		A. Bessie Men in Battle 197: ‘They’re going to withdraw the volunteers from Spain.’ ‘No shit.’.
1945		in T. Shibutani Derelicts of Company K (1978) 242: Haw! Haw! No shit! [Ibid.] 263: No sheet? Dey gonna bust da instructors?
1961		L. McMurtry Horseman, Pass By (1997) 131: ‘I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.’ ‘No shit?’ he said.
1974		V.E. Smith Jones Men 17: No shit? How many?
1982		G.V. Higgins Patriot Game (1985) 38: This is a secret? The lot’s full at eight-thirty? No shit.
1990		S. Morgan Homeboy 321: Rings looped a lazy brow. ‘No shit?’.
2006		C. Hiaasen Nature Girl 16: ‘But I got the big boss to make a call.’ ‘No shit?’.
2010		A. Steinberg Running the Books 41: ‘Hey, ya hear Fitzy’s taking some heat?’ ‘Really? For . . .’ ‘Yup, that.’ ‘No shit?’.
2017		D. Winslow The Force [ebook] ‘Madeleine says, “You have to get him out of here.” No shit, we think, because this is going to be a major embarrassment’.
2019		C. Hammer Silver [ebook] ‘I’ve been holed up in Sydney, writing a book.’ ‘No shit!’ exclaims Nick Poulos.
2020		(con. 1991-94) W. Boyle City of Margins 10: ‘No shit she loves Rudolph [...] I love Rudolph’.
2021		P. Papathanasiou Stoning 80: ‘No shit, eh. Your dad?’.

2. (also no crap!) an excl. of affirmation, I mean it, this is the truth.

1958		Kerouac letter 19 June in Charters II (1999) 133: But I’m still not a lecher. No shit, I stay home and write and think most of the time.
1964		J. Gelber On Ice 271: ‘You were a target because you’re black.’ ‘That’s no shit!’ Frank agreed.
1967		P. Thomas Down These Mean Streets (1970) 230: Hey, Piri, no shit, you sure these gringos ain’t haras?
1975		D. Goines Inner City Hoodlum 79 ‘No shit, Johnny,’ Buddy replied.
1985		(con. 1969–70) D. Bodey F.N.G. (1988) 297: ‘What kind of joint is this place?’ ‘It’s a field evac unit for short-timers.’ ‘No shit?’ ‘No shit.’.
1988		D. Woodrell Muscle for the Wing 93: You know I love you an that’s no shit, neither, baby.
1995		C. Hiaasen Stormy Weather 6: ‘No shit?’ ‘Yeah, honey, no shit.’.
1999		J. Ridley Love Is a Racket 85: My eyes asked a question, and he answered: ‘Yep, no shit, Jeffty.’.
2007		L. Redhead Cherry Pie [ebook] ‘Look at this [...] A couple of pages from the end, some photos are gone. [...]’ ‘No shit. You’re turning into a hell of a sidekick, babe’.
2013		T. Black Ringer [ebook] n.p.: Davie points again, at me this time. ‘Are you away with the bloody pixies, son?’ There’s froth on the sides of his mouth when he’s finished. No shit, there is.
2020		C. Hiaasen Squeeze Me 107: Diego Baltrán sucked in his breath and said, ‘No shit!’.