Hold on to your Mickey

Here's another very interesting phrase. Last night I was chatting with someone and they said, "The kids were taking the mickey."

"Excuse me? Ummm, what does that mean? Did someone steal Mickey Mouse?"

From context clues I guessed the phrase was similar to "making fun of," and I was correct. It means to tease or ridicule. So if I were to say "Stop taking the mickey out of me," that would mean, "Stop making fun of me." Or if I thought you were saying something and I didn't believe you were being serious I'd say, "You're taking the mickey," similar to "You're joking." Wow.

I asked how the saying originated and she wasn't really sure. So, I headed to Google. The origin is a little unclear but it seems to have evolved from a slightly more vulgar expression and Cockney rhyming slang (which I still don't completely understand). But I am assured it's not offensive to use the phrase. For now, though, I think I'll refrain from using it anyway as I don't think I could say it without it being followed by a burst of laughter.