cut for the simples, adj. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

cut for the simples adj.

also cut of the simples, shaved of the simples

[17C Battersea was best known for its market gardens and the medicinal herbs they grew, known as simples, basic herbs without any adulterants. The use of simples as a cure for physical ailments evolved into one for supposed mental problems once it was absorbed in sl.]

cured of one’s foolishness; esp. in phr. go to Battersea to be cut for the simples; thus as v.

1650		in Simpson Docs. of St Paul’s (Camden Soc.) n.p.: The witts of Pauls, or a catalogue of booksellers apprentices, [...] are to be cut of the simples next spring.
1654		Mercurius Fumigosus 11 Sept.-18 Oct. 3: [He] carried them all to an Ale-house, where he kept them in safe Custody till the next morning; [...] after he had wash’d them well in nigget Water, and shav’d them of the Simples, they paying the reckoning, thankfully departed home.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: He must be cut of the Simples, Care must be taken to cure him of his Folly.
1709		N. Ward Compleat and Humorous Account of Remarkable Clubs (1756) xi: Yet if they [i.e. books] happen to be so sharp, as to scratch a Courtier on the Forehead, cut an Alderman for the Simples, or to scarrify a Knave that is rich and powerful […] .
1738		Swift Polite Conversation 10: You should be cut for the Simples this Morning. Say a Word more, and you had as good as eat your Nails.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: He must go to Battersea, to be cut for the simples — Battersea is a place famous for its garden grounds, some of which were formerly appropriated to the growing of simples for apothecaries, who at a certain season used to go down to select their stock for the ensuing year, at which time the gardeners were said to cut their simples; whence it became a popular joke to advise young people to go to Battersea, at that time, to have their simples cut, or to be cut for the simples.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum [as cit. 1785].
1836		Satirist (London) 17 Jan. 5/3: [heading] a cut for the simples.
1834		Southey Doctor cxxxvi n.p.: What evils might be averted... in the Lords and Commons by clearing away bile [...] and occasionally by cutting for the simples [F&H].
1876		C. Hindley Life and Adventures of a Cheap Jack 7: I may add that many more are cut for the ‘simples’ than ‘take’.
1874		Pembs. Herald (Wales) 8 May 4/3: The slang dealer likes wrapping up his meaning in a joke for his customer to unwrap, generally finding something unpleasant inside. You want your money back from him, and he offers a ‘draught’ on Aldgate pump; you confess yourself a fool for trusting him, and he blandly recommends you to go to Battersea (famous for its herb gardens) to have your ‘simples’ cut.