Take the mickey

From Fresh Dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Intransitive verb phrase 1.3 Alternative forms 1.4 See also

English

Etymology

From Cockney rhyming slang to take the Mickey Bliss (for take the piss)

Micturations: Swear-words that do not pertain to body parts invariably refer to bodily functions or secretions. If you were to ridicule someone for being too 'full of themself', you would 'take the piss' out of them. As the word 'piss' became categorised as vulgar, the phrase was modified - 'taking the micturations', later shortened to 'taking the mickey' (nothing to do with a person called Michael). http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A753527

Intransitive verb phrase

take the mickey (takes the mickey, taking the mickey, took the mickey, taken the mickey)

Alternative forms

• take the Michael
• take the mick

1. (British slang) To ridicule or mock.

   Are you takin' the mickey? You'll get yer 'ead bashed in.

See also

• take the piss