This phrase is not new; the full phrase is "to take the Mickey (out of someone)"
Britons have been using this figure of speech for decades, if not centuries. A "Mickey" of course, is a "Mick": a pejorative, racist term for an Irishman (so nicknamed because so many Irish surnames begin with Mc- or Mac-) It is a common stereotype, in both the UK and USA, that Irish men have volatile tempers, like to brawl, and make good boxers. So, To "take the Mickey (out of someone)" means to take the fight, the vigor, the gravity, the self-importance out of them, by mocking them, usually in a very subtle way.

Headmaster: "...so I expect you boys to comport yourself with the full dignity befitting students of this establishment of secondary learning."

Student: "Oh yes, we will sir. We'll even wear our school blazers to bed."

Headmaster: "If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to take the Mickey out of me!"

Take the Mickey out of by david lincoln brooks September 28, 2006

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take the mickey

To make fun of someone or something, often to mock in a satirical way, or to attempt to fool someone in a manner of telling them an outrageous story.

Often used also to cast doubt on the truth of a statement.

A:"You know, the timers on British nuclear bombs were so bad in the 50's, they thought of filling them with chickens to keep them warm enough"
B:"WHAT! Are you taking the mickey?"

C:" Well, you parked in just the right place here, didn't you?"
A:" Instead of taking the mickey, just find me a big rock to chock the wheels with . . "

take the mickey by D F STuckey April 6, 2004

Word of the Day on September 28, 2006

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Take the mickey

Take the word from someone (take the microphone), and make fun of/tease them.

They take the Mickey out of everyone thats not good enough.

Take the mickey by Dr.knowanything May 5, 2020

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