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Original poster

...to think that this expresson is dying out?

441 replies

WalkDontWalk · 05/10/2025 14:25

On another thread someone used the expression 'taking the mick'. And I thought, 'I used to hear that all the time when I was a kid. But I rarely do now.'

So I started to think of others that my dad used but my kids don't.

'Having a kip' or 'I was akip'.

'Yikes' (My daughter says I'm the only non-cartoon that says 'yikes'.)

'Swinging the lead'

'Bunking off'. (Daughter: 'Never heard that. Sounds rude')

'Going Dutch' (Daughter. 'Nope. No idea. Is that rude too?')

'Haven't the foggiest.'

These were all in use in London fifty years ago. Maybe they were always regional.

OP posts:
Callipygion · 05/10/2025 15:08

I still say Gordon Bennett or Flaming Nora!

No idea who they are though, I keep meaning to look them up but always forget!

Catarinabella · 05/10/2025 15:08

“Hopping the wag” as in playing truant, East Midlands UK, 70’s

Darragon · 05/10/2025 15:00

Gordon Benett has died a death. My mum once said it in a shop and the bloke behind her said ‘what?’ and was a bit offended that she’d taken his name in vain. Unless he was pulling her leg. And my DF used to say he needed to ‘see a man about a dog’ regularly when I was younger. I constantly thought we were finally getting a puppy. I was 12 before I realised what it actually meant. 😂 I was just saying to DH not even half an hour ago that colourful language seems to have died out and not been replaced with much.

Lyonesse2020 · 05/10/2025 14:53

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 05/10/2025 14:39

No. Taking the ‘mickey’ is from rhyming slang for piss - Mickey Bliss

Show quote history

I'd heard it came from trying to be refined - taking the micturition, or extracting the urine.

Thulpelly · 05/10/2025 14:46

mzpq · 05/10/2025 14:27

I think 'Taking the mick' is now considered offence, as in a slur against the Irish, isn't it?

I laughed out loud… no it’s not!

ThatGlimmeringSea · 05/10/2025 14:44

The sun’s cracking the flags

He’s living off the smell of an oil rag (describing a person who is reluctant to spend money)

UnintentionalArcher · 05/10/2025 14:44

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 05/10/2025 14:39

No. Taking the ‘mickey’ is from rhyming slang for piss - Mickey Bliss

Show quote history

Oh interesting

AllJoyAndNoFun · 05/10/2025 14:44

“Big Yikes” is in constant Gen Z/A use, at least around here

UnintentionalArcher · 05/10/2025 14:43

mzpq · 05/10/2025 14:27

I think 'Taking the mick' is now considered offence, as in a slur against the Irish, isn't it?

Yes. Was just coming on to say that.

EllatrixB · 05/10/2025 14:42

Swinging the lead 😂 - my Dad always used to say that whenever I said I was too poorly for school as a kid!

KelsCommemorativeSausage · 05/10/2025 14:40

I still use them!

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 05/10/2025 14:39

mzpq · 05/10/2025 14:27

I think 'Taking the mick' is now considered offence, as in a slur against the Irish, isn't it?

No. Taking the ‘mickey’ is from rhyming slang for piss - Mickey Bliss

OldBeyondMyYears · 05/10/2025 14:32

@mzpq We used to say ‘cop off’…we’d send our friend over to the lucky lad (🥴🤣) to ask if they’d like to ‘cop off wi’ me mate’. God love our 14 year old selves 🤣🤣

mzpq · 05/10/2025 14:29

Actually I heard someone say their friend wanted 'get off with someone' and I thought that sounded terribly old fashioned now.

Reminded me of school discos 🤭

mzpq · 05/10/2025 14:27

I think 'Taking the mick' is now considered offence, as in a slur against the Irish, isn't it?

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 05/10/2025 14:27

I still use all those phrases 🙈😂

I referred to someone being square the other week and my teen dd had no clue what I was talking about 😂