To “cut capers”; to play tricks.
1830. Has your skipper begun to cut any shines yet?—N. Ames, ‘A Mariner’s Sketches,’ p. 34. (Italics in the original.)
1835. “Well,” said Peter, “I didn’t care about trading; but you cut such high shines, that I thought I’d like to back you out.”—A. B. Longstreet, ‘Georgia Scenes,’ p. 27.
1839. We cut a few shines with the girls, and started to the tavern.—‘History of Virgil A. Stewart,’ p. 69 (N.Y.).
1840. After cutting other shines, he was taken to the watch-house.—Daily Pennant, St. Louis, July 3.
1842. It is said that some females in England cut up a shine in order to go to Botany Bay, where they are sure of finding husbands.—Phila. Spirit of the Times, Sept. 15.
1844. A wild bull of the prairies was cutting up shines at no great distance, tearing up the sod with hoofs and horns, and threatening to demolish that refuge of lies.—Knick. Mag., xxiii. 550 (June).
1851. [He was] er cuttin up shines worse nor er bob-tail bull in fly time!—‘Polly Peablossom’s Wedding,’ &c., p. 72.
1851. He [my horse] switched his tail, he humped his back, he snorted, he kicked, he reared up, and cut more shines than a snapping-turtle on hot iron.—M. L. Byrn, ‘An Arkansaw Doctor,’ p. 87.
1856. Look you, old woman, don’t be cutting any shines now.—W. G. Simms, ‘Eutaw,’ p. 387 (N.Y.).
See also MONKEY SHINES.
