Take the mickey 🎤😜

Meaning

To tease, mock, or make fun of someone in a lighthearted or sometimes unkind way.

Origin

The exact origin of "take the mickey" is a bit murky, but one popular theory links it to the rhyming slang of Victorian England. "Mickey Bliss" was slang for 'piss'. "Taking the mickey" could have evolved into meaning 'taking the piss' or making fun of someone. Another, perhaps more vivid, story suggests it comes from the Irish surname "Magee," which was often pronounced "McKee" or "Mickey." It's said that if someone was being foolish or ridiculous, one might say they were "acting the Magee," which over time softened into "taking the mickey." Either way, the phrase captures that spirit of playful, or not-so-playful, ridicule.

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Take the mickey represented with emoji🎤😜

This delightful pairing of microphone and winking face playfully subverts the notion of public performance, transforming it into a space for lighthearted teasing. It functions as a gentle reminder that even in the spotlight, there's always room for a bit of mischief and mirth, inviting us to both appreciate the art of communication and indulge in a shared chuckle.

Examples

  • Don't worry, he's just taking the mickey because you're new to the team.
  • She loved to take the mickey out of her brother, but always with affection.
  • The talking badger couldn't help but take the mickey out of the sleepy hedgehog's slow pace.
  • The gingerbread man, with a mischievous twinkle in his candy eyes, decided to take the mickey out of the grumpy old oven.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'take the mickey' British or American slang?

'Take the mickey' is primarily British and Commonwealth slang, rarely used in American English. While Americans understand the meaning, they are more likely to use phrases like 'pulling someone's leg' or 'making fun of someone'.

Can 'take the mickey' be used as a verb at the end of a sentence?

No, 'take the mickey' functions as a phrasal verb and cannot be used elliptically or as a standalone verb at the end of a sentence. You must say 'You're taking the mickey' rather than 'You're mickeys'.

What's the earliest recorded use of 'take the mickey'?

The phrase 'take the mickey' is recorded as early as 1937 in the novel 'They Shoot Horses, Don't They?' by Horace McCoy. This suggests the idiom was in circulation by the mid-1930s.

Is there a formal or polite way to 'take the mickey'?

The phrase 'take the mickey' inherently implies informality and often a degree of familiarity, making it difficult to use in truly formal or polite contexts. While the teasing can be lighthearted, the expression itself is casual.

Similar to "take the mickey"

Pull someone's leg
Both are about playfully deceiving or teasing someone, but 'pull someone's leg' leans more heavily into deception as the core of the joke, whereas 'take the mickey' is broader, encompassing outright mockery
Banter with someone
This phrase shares the lighthearted, back-and-forth quality, but 'banter' implies a more equal footing and a mutual exchange of witty remarks, while 'take the mickey' can be more one-sided, with one person clearly the target
Make fun of someone
This is a direct translation of the intent, but 'make fun of' feels more universally understood and less idiomatically British, carrying a slightly more neutral tone than the distinctly playful or sometimes biting edge of 'take the mickey'

Opposite of "take the mickey"

Treat with respect
This argues for genuine esteem and deference, standing in direct contrast to the often disrespectful act of mockery inherent in 'taking the mickey'; it highlights the enduring value of dignity, whereas 'taking the mickey' often playfully undermines it
Show genuine admiration
This proposes sincere appreciation and regard, a polar opposite to the teasing and potential belittling of 'taking the mickey'; the tension lies in choosing between undermining someone for a laugh or uplifting them with truth
Support and encourage
This advocates for building someone up, directly challenging the spirit of 'taking the mickey' which often tears down, even if just in jest; the contrast is striking because it pits authentic solidarity against playful antagonism

Related to "take the mickey"

Wind someone up
This phrase describes the process of deliberately irritating or provoking someone, often as a prelude to or part of 'taking the mickey', sharing the mischievous intent but focusing more on the escalation
Have a laugh
This encapsulates the enjoyable outcome or shared experience that often accompanies 'taking the mickey', suggesting the teasing is part of a larger, good-natured social interaction
Send someone up
This British idiom is very close in meaning, often implying a more elaborate or performative kind of mockery, as if creating a character or scenario to poke fun at someone
Chatter
While 'chatter' is just casual conversation, it often forms the backdrop or the vehicle through which 'taking the mickey' happens, sharing the informal, everyday context of light verbal exchange