Where does the phrase 'taking the micky' come from?

Linus_337

The origins of this phrase are unclear. Some sources indicate that "Mickey" refers to Irish people and their traditionally supposed lack of intelligence. Taking the mickey is the act of trying to dupe someone by implying that they are similarly stupid. Other sources indicate that the phrase derives from Cockney rhyming slang and the phrase "Mickey Bliss", although how the word "bliss" came to be associated with "Mickey" is unknown. Mar 09 04, 6:40 PM

satguru

I do know that one Linus, and it means a reference to a naughty word... It's the usual cockney rhyming slang, as in 'You're taking the Mickey Bliss', which is the wee-wee word starting with P and ending with S. While I'm here, the commonest lavatorial expression using cockney rhyming slang is to 'blow a raspberry', which is for 'raspberry tart/ fart' Mar 09 04, 6:47 PM

Gnomon

'Taking the mickey' comes from 'taking the mick', which in turn comes from 'taking the micturations', a high-falutin' way of saying 'taking the piss'. Mar 10 04, 2:20 AM