Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. to stop wasting time or talking or doing something irrelevant.

1932		J.L. Kuethe ‘Johns Hopkins Jargon’ in AS VII:5 331: cut the crap — ‘stop the nonsense.’.
1947		(con. 1944) J.H. Burns Gallery (1948) 123: So for God’s sake cut out the crap.
1950		‘Hal Ellson’ Tomboy (1952) 82: Let’s cut the crap and get to it.
1957		‘Nino Culotta’ They’re a Weird Mob (1958) 15: Cut the bull. An’ don’ call me sir.
1961		‘Lou Rand’ Gay Detective (2003) 31: Cut the crap, dearie! You had your fun, now you’ve got to pay for it.
1967		P. Thomas Down These Mean Streets (1970) 262: Cut the shit out. Stop making like you was a for-real broad.
1969		N. Cohn Awopbop. (1970) 91: ‘Murray the K,’ said Paul. ‘Cut out the crap.’.
1972		D. Jenkins Semi-Tough 236: It’s time for me to cut the bullshit and go get ready.
1976		P. Theroux Family Arsenal 94: ‘Cut the shit,’ said Hood. ‘What do you want?’.
1976		R. Price Blood Brothers 22: Will you cut that shit!
1977		P. Hamill Flesh and Blood (1978) 249: ‘I’m Bobby’s father,’ he said. ‘I might as well cut through the chicken fat. I know you don’t have a contract with my son.’.
1978		P. Theroux Picture Palace 188: Cut the crap, Milly, and start the fucking show.
1983		S. King Christine 92: Will Darnell magically reappeared, hollering in his wheezy voice to cut the shit over there, cut the shit, cut the shit.
1986		C. Hiaasen Tourist Season (1987) 267: Let’s cut the crap, okay?
1990		R. Campbell Sweet La-La Land (1999) 94: Will you cut the crap?
1997		T. Fontana ‘The Tip’ Oz ser. 2 ep. 1 [TV script] ‘Do I look like a stupid fucking idiot to you?’ ‘No sir.’ ‘Then cut the shit’.
2000		S. Maloney Big Ask 159: Let’s cut the crap [...] It’s plain as day what really happened here.
2001		(con. 1964–8) J. Ellroy Cold Six Thousand 438: Cut the shit and show me the guns.
2006		C.W. Ford Deuce’s Wild 172: ‘Fuck you,’ I said. ‘Cut the crap and tell me why you had me followed.’.
2010		K. Richards Life 430: I said, let’s cut the crap, Al, let’s go outside, let’s take it on.
2014		M. McBride Swollen Red Sun 43: ‘Cut the shit, Darlene. You always know his whereabouts, so don’t play ta me like you don’t’.
2021		S.A. Crosby Razorblade Tears 127: ‘Now can we cut the shit? Do you know her or not?’.

2. attrib. use of sense 1.

2000

Observer Mag. 27 Feb. 25: What he brings to the scenes is this cut-the-crap realism.

3. as excl. cut the crap! don’t try to fool me! stop talking rubbish! etc.

1939		B. Appel Power-House 254: The fans rooted. ‘No more stallin’!’ ‘Cut the crap!’.
1952		(con. 1920s) ‘Harry Grey’ Hoods (1953) 161: ‘Cut the crap, Cockeye,’ Maxie cautioned.
1962		R. Dougherty Commissioner 25: Now [...] let’s cut the crap.
1966		(con. 1958) R. Farina Been Down So Long (1972) 86: Skip the crap, what are we even bothering for.
1968		G. Cuomo Among Thieves 91: Cut the shit, all right?
1978		L. Kramer Faggots 274: Come on Lemish!, cut the crap!
1986		S. King It (1987) 374: Cuh-cuh-Cut the c-crap, R-R-Richie.
1989		c. Hiaasen Skin Tight 64: You’re not a bill collector . . . so cut the shit. [Ibid.] 164: ‘Cut the crap,’ Maggie said, ‘and take my word.’.
1997		C. Newland Scholar 3: We’re arresting them all Harry, now just cut your crap and go inside all right?
2000		F. Kellerman Stalker (2001) 265: ‘Cut the crap,’ Decker whispered fiercely.
2004		E. Miller ‘Practicing’ in Brooklyn Noir 112: Cut out the crap, Beth!
2008		R. Price Lush Life 171: ‘You don’t think the police need and occasional sticking to?’ ‘Cut the crap’ .
2011		J.J. DeCeglie Drawing Dead [ebook] Evie, cut the shit honey, just cut it.
2012		C. Merrigan ‘Gleaner’s Union’ in ThugLit Sept./Oct. [ebook] ‘We all got to look after one another,’ said Ryne. [...] ‘Cut the shit,’ said Weizkowski.