What does crapping mean?
"Crapping" is the present participle of the verb "crap," a coarse but extremely common English word for defecating. It is firmly informal and mildly vulgar: acceptable among friends and in casual speech, but out of place in professional, academic, or polite contexts. Beyond its literal bodily sense, the word carries a second figurative use, chiefly in phrases like "I'm not crapping you," where it means telling the truth as opposed to talking nonsense. The underlying word "crap" long predates its modern taboo flavour — it originally referred to refuse, chaff, or leftover residue, and only gradually acquired its scatological meaning. Related forms include the noun "crap" (both excrement and nonsense), the adjective "crappy" meaning of poor quality, and the gambling term "craps." Learners should treat the word as a register marker: it signals informality, familiarity, and a willingness to be blunt. Because it can offend, it is worth recognising and understanding well before using it oneself.
(Vulgar slang) To defecate.
"The puppy had been crapping under the table all week."
(Slang) To talk nonsense; used chiefly in negative constructions meaning to tell the truth.
"Stop crapping me — I saw the receipt."
Despite its crude reputation, 'crap' has been in English since the Middle Ages — it originally just meant the husks or residue left after grain was milled.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of crapping
The verb "crap" derives from the noun "crap," which entered Middle English from Old French "crape" (residue, chaff), ultimately of Germanic origin. For centuries it simply meant waste material or husks sifted from grain. Its application to excrement became established by the nineteenth century, likely reinforced by Thomas Crapper, a Victorian plumber whose name — though probably coincidental — is popularly linked to the toilet. Cognate forms survive in words like "crappy" and the gambling term "craps."
Related word forms
How crapping is actually used
Strongly informal and mildly vulgar; avoid in formal writing. In British English especially, 'not crap' or 'no crapping' often means 'telling the truth'. The dice-game sense belongs to the noun 'craps', not this form.
Easily confused with crapping
'Capping' means covering or limiting something, while 'crapping' is a vulgar term for defecating or talking nonsense.